stethoscope

noun

stetho·​scope ˈste-thə-ˌskōp 

also

-t͟hə- 

: 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 

 also  -t͟hə-

adjective

Examples of stethoscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An important early step is listening to your lungs with a stethoscope. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024

Based on the title character from the Netflix show Vida the Vet, this kit contains five sensory toys for treating patients, including a stethoscope with sound effects and reflex hammer. —Pamela Brill, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024

When Season 21 of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 26 (at 10/9c), Meredith is going to be up to her stethoscope in trouble. —Charlie Mason, TVLine, 14 Sep. 2024

Now, the stethoscope could detect a fetal heartbeat. —Alice Neikirk, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

French stéthoscope, from Greek stēthos chest + French -scope

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

stethoscope

noun

stetho·​scope ˈsteth-ə-ˌskōp 

 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

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb