catheter

noun

cath·​e·​ter ˈka-thə-tər How to pronounce catheter (audio)
ˈkath-tər
: a tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities usually to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open compare balloon catheter

Examples of catheter 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 fungus primarily affects patients in hospitals and nursing homes who are already seriously ill, and can spread through medical equipment such as breathing tubes or catheters. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 Doctors can use catheters to enter blood vessels in the lungs and dissolve or extract the clots. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 The medical examiner determined the cause of death was a cardiac air embolism caused by the introduction of air into an intravenous catheter during the procedure, prosecutors said. — Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 Intravenous lines can fail for several reasons, like a needle and catheter not being properly placed in a vein or wiggling out of place — or a vein rupturing and letting blood and IV fluid leak into tissue surrounding the IV site. — Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catheter

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek kathetēr, from kathienai to send down, from kata- cata- + hienai to send — more at jet

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catheter was in 1588

Phrases Containing catheter

Browse Nearby Words

Catherine wheel
catheter
catheterization
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Cite this Entry

“Catheter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catheter. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

catheter

noun
cath·​e·​ter ˈkath-ət-ər, ˈkath-tər How to pronounce catheter (audio)
: a tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes (as to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open)

More from Merriam-Webster on catheter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catheter

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