What does "auscultation" mean?
Diagnosis of disorders by listening to the sounds of the internal organs, usually using a stethoscope.
Auscultation
/ˌɔːskəlˈteɪʃən/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Diagnosis of disorders by listening to the sounds of the internal organs, usually using a stethoscope.
- Grammar: auscultation is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: attention, audition, ear, heeding.
- Useful contrasts: percussion.
- Usage evidence: They thus appeared to be taking her, together, for the moment, and almost for sociability, as prepared to proceed to gratuitous extremities; the upshot of which was in turn, that after much interrogation, auscultation, exploration, much noting of his own sequences and neglecting of hers, had duly kept up the vagueness, they might have struck themselves, or may at least strike us, as coming back from an undeterred but useless voyage to the north pole.
How to use "auscultation"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "auscultation" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "auscultation" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "auscultation" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Diagnosis of disorders by listening to the sounds of the internal organs, usually using a stethoscope. countable, uncountable
"They thus appeared to be taking her, together, for the moment, and almost for sociability, as prepared to proceed to gratuitous extremities; the upshot of which was in turn, that after much interrogation, auscultation, exploration, much noting of his own sequences and neglecting of hers, had duly kept up the vagueness, they might have struck themselves, or may at least strike us, as coming back from an undeterred but useless voyage to the north pole."
- 2 listening to sounds within the body (usually with a stethoscope) wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"They thus appeared to be taking her, together, for the moment, and almost for sociability, as prepared to proceed to gratuitous extremities; the upshot of which was in turn, that after much interrogation, auscultation, exploration, much noting of his own sequences and neglecting of hers, had duly kept up the vagueness, they might have struck themselves, or may at least strike us, as coming back from an undeterred but useless voyage to the north pole."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "auscultation"?
Common synonyms include: attention, audition, ear, heeding, listening, stethoscope.
How do you use "auscultation" in a sentence?
They thus appeared to be taking her, together, for the moment, and almost for sociability, as prepared to proceed to gratuitous extremities; the upshot of which was in turn, that after much interrogation, auscultation, exploration, much noting of his own sequences and neglecting of hers, had duly kept up the vagueness, they might have struck themselves, or may at least strike us, as coming back from an undeterred but useless voyage to the north pole.
How do you pronounce "auscultation"?
Pronounced /ˌɔːskəlˈteɪʃən/.
Etymology
From Latin auscultātio (“act of listening”).