mammogram

noun

mam·​mo·​gram ˈma-mə-ˌgram How to pronounce mammogram (audio)
: a photograph of the breasts made by X-rays
also : the procedure for producing a mammogram

Examples of mammogram in a Sentence

She went to the hospital for her yearly mammogram.
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.
Instead, Tommy suggests that Nancy get a mammogram after noticing what appears to be a lump in one of her breasts. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024 Tia Mowry is left in tears and nearly speechless after learning the results of her routine mammogram. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Medical personnel use a mammogram to examine a woman’s breast for breast cancer. —Karen Knudsen, American Cancer Society Ceo, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024 This early-stage, non-invasive form of breast cancer is often found during routine mammograms, making regular screenings critical for early detection and treatment. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mammogram 

Word History

Etymology

Latin mamma "breast" + -o- + -gram — more at mamma entry 1

Note: The terms mammogram and mammography were introduced by the American physician and surgeon Nymphus Frederick Hicken (1900-98) in "Mammography: roentgenologic diagnosis of breast tumors by means of contrast media," Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, vol. 64 (1937), pp. 593-603.

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mammogram was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near mammogram

mammock

mammogram

mammography

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Mammogram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mammogram. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

mammogram

noun
mam·​mo·​gram ˈmam-ə-ˌgram How to pronounce mammogram (audio)
1
: a photograph of the breasts made by X-rays
2
: the procedure for producing a mammogram

More from Merriam-Webster on mammogram

Nglish: Translation of mammogram for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of mammogram for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Giving Thanks Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...