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.
The stethoscope and the lesson plan are already here. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026 Buse took a medical timeout and had salts and minerals added to his water bottle as a stethoscope was placed on his chest. — Andrew Dampf, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2026 For those families, Bourland uses a special stethoscope to record a child's heartbeat. — Bo Evans, CBS News, 1 June 2026 Burton brought in a stethoscope, a scale, and a thermometer so that children could use the numbers for a math activity and demystify doctors’ visits. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of stethoscope for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stethoscope

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