stethoscope

American  

[steth-uh-skohp] / ˈstɛθ əˌskoʊp /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

1. an instrument used in auscultation to convey sounds in the chest or other parts of the body to the ear of the examiner.

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stethoscope British  

/ ˈstɛθəˌskəʊp, stɛˈθɒskəpɪ, ˌstɛθəˈskɒpɪk /

noun

1. med an instrument for listening to the sounds made within the body, typically consisting of a hollow disc that transmits the sound through hollow tubes to earpieces

2. Also called: obstetric stethoscope.  a narrow cylinder expanded at both ends to recieve and transmit fetal sounds

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stethoscope Cultural  

1. An instrument used in listening to internal body sounds. Most familiarly, physicians and nurses use it to listen to heart sounds.

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Other Word Forms

• stethoscoped adjective
• stethoscopic adjective
• stethoscopist noun
• stethoscopy noun
• unstethoscoped adjective

Etymology

Origin of stethoscope

First recorded in 1810–20; stetho- + -scope

Example Sentences

The 39-year-old admits it has been a "steep learning curve" as he swaps out the set pieces for the stethoscope in his new role at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

But Meals put his stethoscope to the heartbeat of Los Angeles and found a thousand things to cheer.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2025

After thinking big, the new organization settled on the iconic stethoscope as its first product, ultimately validating their low-cost, open-source, repairable device as just as good as pricier alternatives.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2025

“I’ll be replacing your doctor,” said the new man while abruptly applying a cold stethoscope.

From Slate • Mar. 23, 2025

She closes her laughing eyes to listen to the stethoscope.

From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon