catheter

noun

cath·​e·​ter ˈka-thə-tər How to pronounce catheter (audio)
ˈkath-tər
: a tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities usually to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open compare balloon catheter

Examples of catheter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During an ablation, a cardiac electrophysiologist snakes a catheter through a vein or artery, usually in the groin or the wrist, to get to the heart. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 Patients typically stay in the hospital for two to five days after surgery, and then use a catheter for a couple weeks before beginning to train their new bladder, Kukreja says. Angela Haupt, Time, 28 July 2025 Bruising on hands could be caused by intravenous catheters, actinic purpura from excessive sun exposure or a vasculitis. Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 Other options include mechanochemical ablation, a medical technique that rotates wire inside a catheter to disrupt the vein lining while a sclerosant is injected, causing the vein to collapse. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for catheter

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek kathetēr, from kathienai to send down, from kata- cata- + hienai to send — more at jet

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catheter was in 1601

Cite this Entry

“Catheter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catheter. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Medical Definition

catheter

noun
cath·​e·​ter ˈkath-ət-ər, ˈkath-tər How to pronounce catheter (audio)
: a tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes (as to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open)

More from Merriam-Webster on catheter

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