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.

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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

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

If blood is found, additional testing is offered, most often a colonoscopy.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026

He had also just started on cholesterol drugs and undergone his first colonoscopy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

For the first time, the American Cancer Society recommended in an announcement last month that a blood test could be used to screen people who choose not to or can’t get a colonoscopy.

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

And in the middle of Eisman’s colonoscopy, a roomful of doctors and nurses retold the story of Eisman’s genius.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Manganiello detailed debilitating abdominal pain, fevers, rashes, headaches, fatigue and ulcers in his digestive tract that caused bleeding and led to countless colonoscopies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

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

Millions of Americans are skipping their colonoscopies due to concerns about the cost, time commitment and undergoing a procedure with anesthesia.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 4, 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