ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ultrasound

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌəɫtɹəˈsaʊnd// UK //ˌʊltɹɐsˈaʊnd// ul·tra·sound Informal

n. a medical test that uses sound waves to create a picture of the inside of your body. You often see this used to check on a baby before it is born.

n. the use of high-frequency sound waves to produce images of internal body structures or to provide therapeutic treatment. Often refers to the diagnostic procedure itself rather than the physical phenomenon of sound.


SIMPLE

The doctor ordered an ultrasound to check my heart.

CONTEXTUAL

During the second trimester, the technician performed an ultrasound to monitor the baby's development and health.

COMPLEX

Advances in portable ultrasound technology have allowed emergency responders to perform critical internal assessments in the field, significantly improving patient outcomes during the golden hour of trauma care.

Synonyms
Origin

From ultra- + sound.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the technology or sound frequency; countable when referring to a specific medical examination.

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