noun
Uncommon
MRI
MRI (noun) means a medical scan that uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the inside of the body (short for magnetic resonance imaging). Example: “The doctor ordered an MRI to check for a torn ligament.”
noun
1
A medical scan that uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the inside of the body (short for magnetic resonance imaging).
"The doctor ordered an MRI to check for a torn ligament."
verb
1
To scan someone using MRI technology.
"They MRI'd his knee after the injury didn't improve."
How to use MRI
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA scan that images the inside of the body using magnets, or the act of performing that scan.
Common pairings
get an MRI
MRI scan
MRI machine
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- MRIs
- Past tense
- MRIed
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The doctor ordered an _____ to check for a torn ligament.
Etymology
An initialism for "magnetic resonance imaging."
Synonyms
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magnetic resonance imaging
Frequently asked questions
What does “MRI” mean?
The word “MRI” means a medical scan that uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the inside of the body (short for magnetic resonance imaging). In plain terms, a scan that images the inside of the body using magnets, or the act of performing that scan.
How do you use “MRI” in a sentence?
Here is “MRI” used in a sentence: “The doctor ordered an MRI to check for a torn ligament.”
What part of speech is “MRI”?
Depending on how it is used, “MRI” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “MRI” a common word?
“MRI” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “MRI” have?
“MRI” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a medical scan that uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the inside of the body (short for magnetic resonance imaging).
What is the difference between an MRI and a CT scan?
An MRI uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the inside of the body, while a CT scan uses X-rays. MRIs are generally preferred for detailed imaging of soft tissue such as the brain and ligaments, while CT scans are often faster and better suited to imaging bone or detecting internal bleeding.
Is MRI a noun or can it also be used as a verb?
MRI is primarily a noun referring to the scan itself, short for magnetic resonance imaging, but it is also used informally as a verb meaning to scan someone using MRI technology, as in "they MRI'd his knee."
Why is MRI written in all capital letters?
MRI is written in capitals because it is an acronym standing for magnetic resonance imaging, a medical scan that uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the body. Acronyms formed from initial letters are conventionally capitalized in English.
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