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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Judging from the big sigh on the elevator, as Robby wraps his stethoscope around his neck like only Wyle can, he's not exactly refreshed and eager to step back into the emergency room. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 These sensors act like digital stethoscopes, measuring real-time wire temperature, wind speed and line sag. — Jasmine Garland, The Conversation, 7 July 2026 As the gut is considered a second brain, the process involves listening in with a stethoscope while manual, hands-on therapy helps the body shift more easily between fight-or-flight and not get stuck in one. — Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 June 2026 For those families, Bourland uses a special stethoscope to record a child's heartbeat. — Bo Evans, CBS News, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stethoscope

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

Rhymes for stethoscope

See All Rhymes for stethoscope

Browse Nearby Words

stethometer
stethoscope
stethoscopic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stethoscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stethoscope. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce stethoscope (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on stethoscope

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stethoscope

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All