radiology

American  

[ray-dee-ol-uh-jee] / ˌreɪ diˈɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the science dealing with x-rays or nuclear radiation, especially for medical uses.

2. the examination or photographing of organs, bones, etc., with such rays.

3. the interpretation of medical x-ray photographs.

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radiology British  

/ ˌreɪdɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the use of X-rays and radioactive substances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease

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radiology Scientific  

/ rā′dē-ŏl′ə-jē /

1. The branch of medicine that deals with diagnostic images of anatomic structures through the use of electromagnetic radiation or sound waves and that treats disease through the use of radioactive compounds. Radiologic imaging techniques include x-rays, CAT scans, PET scans, MRIs, and ultrasonograms.

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radiology Cultural  

1. The branch of medicine devoted to the study of images obtained by x-ray, ultrasound, CAT scans, or magnetic resonance imaging, and to the treatment of cancer by radiation therapy.

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Other Word Forms

• radiologist
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of radiology

First recorded in 1895–1900; radio- + -logy

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Explanation

In medicine, radiology is the specialty that deals with imaging techniques to diagnose or treat disease. If you need an x-ray of your broken thumb, you need an expert in radiology. The area of a hospital where x-rays or MRIs are taken might be referred to as radiology: "We need to get a look at your brain. We'll send you down to radiology." Radiology also takes the form of ultrasound and CT scans, and all of these various techniques are performed by a radiologist. The Latin root is radiationem, "a shining."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

radiology

One of the main reasons for the shortage is that Wales has more radiology departments affected by recruitment freezes than anywhere in the UK.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026

An interventional radiology team begins by making a small incision in the crease of the leg.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

Deferrals exist across deals where private-equity firms use debt to buy companies, including radiology companies, consumer-lending platforms and property maintenance firms.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

The Northern Trust said that five planned day procedures, 62 outpatient appointments and 64 radiology appointments had been rescheduled.

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026

I joined Farmer on the Brigham’s radiology floor, in a quiet room where he was discussing various patients with younger doctors, mostly residents, who were his students.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

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