microscopy
gb/maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/ us/maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
C1
process
1
examining things with microscopes
Microscopy is looking at very small things using a microscope.
Usage pattern:
[do] microscopy on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse microscopy (a noun) with microscopic (an adjective).
Synonyms
microscopic examination (More general phrasing; often used in clinical or lab contexts.)
|
microanalysis (Often implies detailed analytical measurement, not just viewing.)
Antonyms
macroscopic observation (Viewing or studying something at a scale visible to the naked eye.)
Collocations
electron microscopy
|light microscopy
|fluorescence microscopy
|confocal microscopy
|microscopy technique
|microscopy analysis
|microscopy images
|microscopy data
|microscopy study
|microscopy experiment
Themes
science
|medicine
|laboratory
|biology
|technology
Examples
- Microscopy revealed tiny cracks in the metal surface.
- The technician prepared the slide for microscopy.
- They used microscopy to see how the cells responded to the drug.
Learner examples
- We used microscopy to see the bacteria.
- Microscopy helps scientists study cells.
Noun
technical
C2
abstract
2
scientific field of microscope methods
Microscopy can also mean the area of science about microscopes and microscopic images.
Usage pattern:
a course in microscopy
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse microscopy when they mean microscope (the instrument).
Synonyms
microscope science (Informal paraphrase; not a standard term.)
|
microscopy methods (Refers specifically to techniques rather than the whole field.)
Antonyms
macroscopy (Study or examination at a large, visible scale; much less common in general English.)
Collocations
advanced microscopy
|microscopy course
|microscopy lab
|microscopy facility
|microscopy community
|microscopy methods
|microscopy training
|microscopy research
|microscopy instrumentation
|microscopy conference
Themes
science
|research
|technology
|education
Examples
- She specializes in microscopy and image analysis.
- The university has a strong program in microscopy.
- Recent advances in microscopy have improved the resolution of cell imaging.
Learner examples
- He is studying microscopy at university.
Grammar
Dictionary form
microscopy
IPA
GB/maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/
US/maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/
Syllables & stress
mi - cro - scopy (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cro)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: microscopy
- Plural: microscopies, microscopy
Word family
Forms
microscopies
noun
Core family
microscope
noun B1
microscopic
adjective B2
Related words
microscopically
adverb
microscopist
noun
Negative and opposite forms
macroscopic
adjective
Expressions
confocal microscopy
1/kˈɑnfoʊkəl maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/
fixed phrase
technical
sharp optical sections through samples
Confocal microscopy makes clearer images, often in 3D.
Examples
- Confocal microscopy produced clear images of the tissue layers.
- They collected a 3D stack using confocal microscopy.
cryo-electron microscopy
1/kɹioʊ ɪlˈɛktɹɔn maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/
fixed phrase
technical
electron microscopy of frozen samples
Cryo-electron microscopy images samples while they are frozen.
Examples
- Cryo-electron microscopy helped researchers map the protein’s structure.
- The team prepared frozen grids for cryo-electron microscopy.
electron microscopy
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɔn maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/
fixed phrase
technical
microscopy using electron beams
Electron microscopy uses electrons to make very detailed images.
Examples
- Electron microscopy showed the virus particles in high detail.
- The sample was coated with metal for electron microscopy.
fluorescence microscopy
1/flˌʊɹˈɛsəns maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/
fixed phrase
technical
microscopy using fluorescent signals
Fluorescence microscopy makes parts of a sample glow so you can see them.
Examples
- Fluorescence microscopy was used to track the tagged protein.
- The nuclei were stained for fluorescence microscopy.
light microscopy
1/lˈaɪt maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/
fixed phrase
technical
microscopy using visible light
Light microscopy uses light to see small things.
Examples
- Light microscopy is often the first step before more advanced imaging.
- Under light microscopy, the cells appeared round and evenly spaced.
phase-contrast microscopy
1/fˈeɪz kˈɑntɹæst maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/
fixed phrase
technical
viewing unstained transparent cells
Phase-contrast microscopy helps you see clear cells without staining them.
Examples
- Phase-contrast microscopy allowed them to watch the cells divide live.
- The lab used phase-contrast microscopy to observe unstained bacteria.
scanning electron microscopy
1/skˈænɪŋ ɪlˈɛktɹɔn maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/
fixed phrase
technical
surface imaging with electron scanning
Scanning electron microscopy shows detailed pictures of a surface.
Examples
- Scanning electron microscopy revealed the rough texture of the coating.
- They used scanning electron microscopy to examine the insect’s wing surface.
transmission electron microscopy
1/tɹænzmˈɪʃən ɪlˈɛktɹɔn maɪkɹˈɑskəpi/
fixed phrase
technical
internal imaging through thin samples
Transmission electron microscopy shows the inside of a very thin sample.
Examples
- Transmission electron microscopy showed the membranes inside the cells.
- The tissue was cut into ultrathin sections for transmission electron microscopy.