English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

stethoscope

STEH-thuhs-kohp

Stethoscope (noun) means a medical instrument used to listen to sounds inside the body, such as the heartbeat or breathing. Example: “The doctor pressed the stethoscope against his chest and listened.”

noun
1
A medical instrument used to listen to sounds inside the body, such as the heartbeat or breathing.
"The doctor pressed the stethoscope against his chest and listened."
"Every nurse carries a stethoscope on their rounds."

How to use stethoscope

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe tool doctors use to listen to your heart and lungs.

Common pairings
listen with a stethoscope doctor's stethoscope

Word forms

stethoscoped past tense, stethoscopes plural, stethoscopes singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “stethoscope” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The doctor pressed the _____ against his chest and listened.

Etymology

Borrowed from French stéthoscope, coined by the physician René Laennec, who invented the device.

Origin: French

Rhymes for stethoscope

See all rhymes for stethoscope →

Frequently asked questions

What does “stethoscope” mean?

The word “stethoscope” means a medical instrument used to listen to sounds inside the body, such as the heartbeat or breathing. In plain terms, the tool doctors use to listen to your heart and lungs.

How do you pronounce “stethoscope”?

“Stethoscope” is pronounced STEH-thuhs-kohp (/ˈstɛθəsˌkoʊp/ in IPA).

How do you use “stethoscope” in a sentence?

Here is “stethoscope” used in a sentence: “The doctor pressed the stethoscope against his chest and listened.”

What part of speech is “stethoscope”?

“Stethoscope” is a noun.

Where does the word “stethoscope” come from?

The word “stethoscope” comes from French. Borrowed from French stéthoscope, coined by the physician René Laennec, who invented the device.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial