colonoscopy

American  

[koh-luh-nos-kuh-pee] / ˌkoʊ ləˈnɒs kə pi /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

• colonoscopies
  plural

1. visual inspection of the interior of the colon with a flexible, lighted tube inserted through the rectum.

---

colonoscopy Scientific  

/ kō′lə-nŏs′kə-pē /

1. Inspection of the interior surface of the colon with a flexible endoscope that is equipped to obtain tissue samples and inserted through the rectum.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• colonoscopic
  adjective
• colonoscopically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• colonoscopies
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of colonoscopy

First recorded in 1900–05; colon ² ( def. ) + -o- ( def. ) + -scopy ( def. )

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

colonoscopy colonoscopies

I gave them another try recently, when suffering through colonoscopy prep.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

Research presented at the ACS Clinical Congress 2025 examined patients younger than 50 who received a colonoscopy because they were experiencing symptoms.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

No one looks forward to a colonoscopy, but for the millions of Americans who refuse screening, a simple blood test could help catch colon cancer.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 4, 2026

He said: "One came back with indications of blood in my stool. I went through further tests, and it was at the colonoscopy that they identified a cancer in my bowel."

From Science Daily ● May 6, 2026

A year later, he went back to the same doctor for a colonoscopy.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Decades of trial and error have produced a shortlist of tests like colonoscopies and mammograms that actually work.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

A positive result requires more testing, while a negative result does not rule out cancer or replace mammograms, colonoscopies, or other recommended screening.

From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026

The new building would feature two additional beds and the capacity to perform additional services such as infusion therapy for cancer, mammography and colonoscopies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

In practice, this type of test could be used for routine screening, with colonoscopies reserved for confirming positive cases.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 9, 2026

Exact’s Cologuard is the first non-invasive at-home test for colorectal cancer, allowing some people to bypass invasive and time-consuming colonoscopies as part of their routine care.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 20, 2025

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---