stethoscope

noun

stetho·​scope ˈste-thə-ˌskōp How to pronounce stethoscope (audio)
also
-t͟hə- How to pronounce stethoscope (audio)
: a medical instrument for detecting sounds produced in the body that are conveyed to the ears of the listener through rubber tubing connected with a piece placed upon the area to be examined
stethoscopic
ˌste-thə-ˈskä-pik How to pronounce stethoscope (audio)
 also  -t͟hə-
adjective

Examples of stethoscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Shots and stethoscopes, monitors and medicine became her norm. Melissa Karns, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024 On one of O’Connell’s first days in a shelter, a nurse told him to put his stethoscope away and start soaking feet. Stat Staff, STAT, 29 Dec. 2023 Inside, the male patient can be seen sitting up on what appears to be a gurney with another EMT in the back of the vehicle who appears to be holding a stethoscope. Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2024 In addition to your basic first-aid supplies, the kit includes a stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff, and eye wash. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 5 Oct. 2023 Image: Withings But more interesting is how Withings has managed to stick a stethoscope into the mix. Victoria Song, The Verge, 8 Jan. 2024 All three stars were in costume in white lab coats with stethoscopes around their necks. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 20 Dec. 2023 This veterinarian set comes with scrubs, a syringe, a stethoscope, a thermometer, and even a tiny canine patient. Jessica Booth, Parents, 1 Nov. 2023 Somewhat more importantly, Glasgow University researchers have developed a laser camera that monitors someone’s heartbeat from a distance, without the need for a stethoscope. David Meyer, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stethoscope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French stéthoscope, from Greek stēthos chest + French -scope

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stethoscope was in 1820

Dictionary Entries Near stethoscope

Cite this Entry

“Stethoscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stethoscope. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stethoscope

noun
stetho·​scope ˈsteth-ə-ˌskōp How to pronounce stethoscope (audio)
 also  ˈstet͟h-
: a medical instrument used for listening to sounds produced in the body and especially those of the heart and lungs

Medical Definition

stethoscope

noun
stetho·​scope
ˈsteth-ə-ˌskōp also ˈstet͟h-
: an instrument used to detect and study sounds produced in the body that are conveyed to the ears of the listener through rubber tubing connected with a usually cup-shaped piece placed upon the area to be examined
stethoscopic
ˌsteth-ə-ˈskäp-ik also ˌstet͟h-
adjective
stethoscopically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on stethoscope

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