electrocardiogram
Americannoun
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electrocardiograms
plural
noun
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A graphic recording of the electrical activity of the heart, used to evaluate cardiac function and to diagnose arrhythmias and other disorders.
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◆ An electrocardiograph is the apparatus used to generate electrocardiograms. The machine functions as a portable set of galvanometers that measure electric potentials at different anatomic sites on the chest and extremities, and contains internal circuitry for computing calculations based on these measurements. Twelve electrodes act as transducers to pick up the electrical signals. Various combinations of signals from the electrodes can be selected for output, each of which provides information about electrical activity in the heart from a different anatomical perspective. For example, electrodes placed on the right arm, left leg and left arm record variations in potential in the frontal plane of the heart. The signals are converted to waveform tracings that are recorded and printed for diagnostic interpretation.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of electrocardiogram
First recorded in 1900–05; electro- + cardiogram
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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People with Takotsubo syndrome can suddenly experience chest pain, abnormal electrocardiogram results, and elevated levels of cardiac enzymes - all signs that can closely resemble a heart attack.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 2, 2026
The White House provided the Journal with a summary of a Mayo Clinic AI-assisted analysis of Trump’s electrocardiogram that estimated the president’s cardiac age to be that of a 65-year-old.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 1, 2026
She was able to verify that while her mother had completed scheduled blood tests, she had not shown up for an electrocardiogram.
From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2025
Any sign of distress, such as chest pain, could be a red flag; the symptom warranted investigation with tests, like an electrocardiogram or X-ray, experts said.
From Salon ● Nov. 25, 2024
With the women strapped to tilt tables with their heads angled down at 65 degrees, a cardiologist checked their heart functions as an electrocardiogram recorded information every five minutes.
From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson
Usually, the heart-rhythm disorder is diagnosed through testing such as electrocardiograms.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026
Walmart started the health-care clinic initiative in 2019 in Dallas, Ga., with centers providing primary care, labs, X-rays and electrocardiograms, counseling, and dental, optical and hearing services.
From New York Times ● Apr. 30, 2024
There, Appleby and his team screened them for entry into the Ionis trial, doing neurological exams, running electrocardiograms, taking blood and urine, and asking them to repeat lists of words.
From Science Magazine ● Mar. 21, 2024
Data from watches included alerts about patients' heart rates and patient-initiated electrocardiograms, or ECGs, from an app that uses the electrical sensors in the watch.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 13, 2023
Heart and Pulse The effect on the pulse while these tests were made was observed, and electrocardiograms taken.
From How to Live Rules for Healthful Living Based on Modern Science by Irving Fisher
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