Word
stethoscope
Phoneticsstetho·scope
US/ˈstɛθəˌskoʊp/
UK/stˈɛθəskˌəʊp/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small medical tool for listening to sounds inside your body, like your heartbeat or breathing. Doctors often wear one around the neck.
n. a medical instrument with earpieces and a chest piece joined by flexible tubing, used to listen to internal body sounds such as heartbeat, breathing, and blood flow.
Examples
“The doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to my heart.”
“The nurse hangs a stethoscope around her neck before checking patients on the morning round.”
“Despite advances in portable ultrasound, the stethoscope remains a symbol of clinical skill and bedside care.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to my heart.”
contextual
“The nurse hangs a stethoscope around her neck before checking patients on the morning round.”
complex
“Despite advances in portable ultrasound, the stethoscope remains a symbol of clinical skill and bedside care.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “stethoscope” in context.
Verb
01. examine with stethoscope
“The nurse examined the child with a stethoscope.”
verb + prep + noun
02. listen with stethoscope
“The doctor listened with a stethoscope to check her lungs.”
verb + prep + noun
03. place stethoscope
“She placed the stethoscope on his chest and asked him to breathe deeply.”
verb + noun
04. press stethoscope
“He pressed the stethoscope gently against her back to listen.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. acoustic stethoscope
“Most nurses still prefer a traditional acoustic stethoscope for daily checks.”
adj + noun
06. digital stethoscope
“The clinic bought digital stethoscopes to record heart sounds clearly.”
adj + noun
07. electronic stethoscope
“He used an electronic stethoscope to amplify the faint heartbeat.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. diaphragm of stethoscope
“The doctor warmed the diaphragm of the stethoscope before using it.”
noun + prep + noun
09. doctor with stethoscope
“A doctor with a stethoscope around his neck entered the room.”
noun + prep + noun
10. hang a stethoscope around neck
“He hung a stethoscope around his neck before starting his rounds.”
11. listen to heartbeat with stethoscope
“The doctor listened to her heartbeat with a stethoscope.”
12. place the stethoscope on chest
“She placed the stethoscope on his chest and listened carefully.”
Etymology
Borrowed from French stéthoscope, a word coined by its inventor, physician René Laennec, equivalent to stetho- + -scope.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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