colonoscopy

American  

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

noun

Medicine/Medical.

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

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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.

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Other Word Forms

• colonoscopic
  adjective
• colonoscopically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of colonoscopy

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

Example Sentences

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

By the time he had a video examination of his bowels – called a colonoscopy – the cancer was so large it blocked the camera from getting in.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

With additional clinical data, the model could become even more accurate and eventually match colonoscopy performance.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

Rachel, who does not want the BBC to use her surname, said an indentation in her abdomen had been picked up during a regular colonoscopy for another condition.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

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

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis