Meaning & use

X-ray

noun·Academic

A form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation used to produce images of the inside of the body or solid objects.

See it in a sentence

The doctor ordered an X-ray to check whether the bone in her wrist was broken.

Airport security uses X-ray machines to scan the contents of passengers' luggage.

A note on using this word

X-ray also works as a verb, as in the technician will X-ray your arm, and is typically capitalized.

Words with a similar meaning

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Another way to use it

2. verb

To examine or photograph something using X-ray radiation.

The hospital will X-ray his chest to check for signs of pneumonia.

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