catheter

noun

cath·​e·​ter ˈka-thə-tər 

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

The medical examiner determined the cause of death was a cardiac air embolism caused by the introduction of air into an intravenous catheter during the procedure, prosecutors said. — Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Intravenous lines can fail for several reasons, like a needle and catheter not being properly placed in a vein or wiggling out of place — or a vein rupturing and letting blood and IV fluid leak into tissue surrounding the IV site. — Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

For Murray Hooper, medical officials again struggled to find his vein and ended up inserting a catheter near his groin, according to the Arizona Republic. — Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2026

The study looked at healthy women as well as those with kidney disease, catheters and diabetes. — Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

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

1588, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing catheter

• balloon catheter
• Foley catheter

Medical Definition

catheter

noun

cath·​e·​ter ˈkath-ət-ər, ˈkath-tər 

: 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)