noun
catheter
KA-thih-tuh
Catheter (noun) means a thin flexible tube inserted into the body to drain fluid, deliver medicine, or open a passage. Example: “The nurse inserted a catheter to drain his bladder after surgery.”
noun
1
A thin flexible tube inserted into the body to drain fluid, deliver medicine, or open a passage.
"The nurse inserted a catheter to drain his bladder after surgery."
How to use catheter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA medical tube used to carry fluids into or out of the body.
Common pairings
insert a catheter
a urinary catheter
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like catheter.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- catheters
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The nurse inserted a _____ to drain his bladder after surgery.
Etymology
From Greek katheter, "something let down," originally describing an instrument used to empty the bladder.
Rhymes for catheter
See all rhymes for catheter →Frequently asked questions
What does “catheter” mean?
The word “catheter” means a thin flexible tube inserted into the body to drain fluid, deliver medicine, or open a passage. In plain terms, a medical tube used to carry fluids into or out of the body.
How do you pronounce “catheter”?
“Catheter” is pronounced KA-thih-tuh (/ˈkæθɪtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “catheter” in a sentence?
Here is “catheter” used in a sentence: “The nurse inserted a catheter to drain his bladder after surgery.”
What part of speech is “catheter”?
“Catheter” is a noun.
Where does the word “catheter” come from?
The word “catheter” comes from Greek. From Greek katheter, "something let down," originally describing an instrument used to empty the bladder.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include catheter:
