colonoscopy

noun

co·​lo·​nos·​co·​py ˌkō-lə-ˈnä-skə-pē 

plural colonoscopies

: endoscopic examination of the colon

colonoscope

kō-ˈlä-nə-ˌskōp 

noun

Examples of colonoscopy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What to Consider Before Getting Screened Qin Rao, MD, a gastroenterologist at Manhattan Gastroenterology, recommends a colonoscopy for the average person but a stool test like Cologuard or CT colonography for people who lack access to healthcare or can’t otherwise get a colonoscopy. —Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 5 Nov. 2024

If these tests show a positive result, a doctor will perform a follow-up colonoscopy. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024

The mandate requires that health insurers fully cover certain preventive services, including cancer screenings like colonoscopies and mammograms, at no cost to the patient. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024

To be clear, there are a few rare medical instances in which a colon cleanse is necessary, like before a colonoscopy. —Tayler Adigun, Essence, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing colonoscopy

• virtual colonoscopy

Medical Definition

colonoscopy

noun

co·​lo·​nos·​co·​py ˌkō-lə-ˈnäs-kə-pē  ˌkäl-ə- 

plural colonoscopies

: endoscopic examination of the colon

transabdominal colonoscopy with a sigmoidoscope via colotomy

colonoscopic

kō-ˌlän-ə-ˈskäp-ik 

adjective