Origin: Latin prefix ultra-
Ultrasound has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
very high frequency sound; used in ultrasonography
"The doctor used an ultrasound to create a detailed image of the developing fetus inside her womb."
using the reflections of high-frequency sound waves to construct an image of a body organ (a sonogram); commonly used to observe fetal growth or study bodily organs
"The doctor used ultrasound to create an image showing the healthy development of the fetus."
Sound with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing, which is approximately 20 kilohertz.
"The veterinarian used an ultrasound to examine the kitten's internal organs without causing any pain."
In plain English: Ultrasound is sound that humans cannot hear because it vibrates at frequencies much higher than our ears can detect.
"The doctor used an ultrasound to check on the baby's development during the pregnancy."
Usage: Ultrasound refers to sound waves that exceed the range of human hearing and are commonly used in medical imaging or industrial testing. As both a noun describing these high-frequency sounds and a verb meaning to expose something to them, it is distinct from audible noise despite sharing similar physical properties.
To treat with ultrasound.
"The doctor decided to use ultrasound to break up the kidney stones without making an incision."
The word ultrasound is formed from the prefix ultra- and the noun sound. It was first used to describe sound waves that travel beyond the range of human hearing.