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tomography

British  
/ təˈmɒɡrəfɪ /

noun

  1. any of a number of techniques used to obtain an X-ray photograph of a selected plane section of the human body or some other solid object

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

tomography Scientific  
/ tō-mŏgrə-fē /
  1. Any of several radiologic techniques for making detailed three-dimensional images of a plane section of a solid object, such as the body, while blurring out the images of other planes.

  2. See also computerized axial tomography positron emission tomography


tomography Cultural  
  1. A procedure by which waves are sent through an object and computers produce images of cross sections of the object by using information on how the waves are changed. Both ultrasound and CAT scans are medical uses of this technique, but it is also widely used in science and industry.


Etymology

Origin of tomography

C20: from Greek tomē a cutting + -graphy

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.

A standard method called quantum tomography can estimate a quantum state, but the number of measurements needed grows explosively as more photons are added.

From Science Daily • May 13, 2026

Using computed tomography scanning data, Srivastava digitally separated the crushed bones and created a 3D printed reconstruction of the skull.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

Photoacoustic tomography was first developed more than two decades ago by Lihong Wang, the Bren Professor of Medical Engineering and Electrical Engineering and the Andrew and Peggy Cherng Medical Engineering Leadership Chair at Caltech.

From Science Daily • Feb. 6, 2026

The paper is titled "Rotational ultrasound and photoacoustic tomography of the human body."

From Science Daily • Feb. 6, 2026

Computed tomography, for instance, visualized the internal structure of Egyptian mummies.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai

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