apgar score: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low in general discourse; Medium-High in medical/healthcare contexts.Technical/Medical.
Quick answer
What does “apgar score” mean?
A quick medical test given to newborns at one and five minutes after birth to assess their physical health, based on five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A quick medical test given to newborns at one and five minutes after birth to assess their physical health, based on five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.
A standardized numerical assessment used in neonatology to evaluate the need for immediate medical intervention for a newborn. The score can be used more informally to describe the initial or baseline health status of any new system or entity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are identical. The medical procedure and scoring are standardised internationally.
Connotations
Purely clinical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low in everyday conversation, equally standard in medical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “apgar score” in a Sentence
The midwife calculated [OBJECT: the Apgar score].The newborn received [OBJECT: an Apgar score] of 9.They were concerned about [OBJECT: the low Apgar score].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, nursing, and midwifery research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Rare, only when discussing personal birth experiences in detail.
Technical
The primary context. A standard term in obstetrics, paediatrics, and neonatology for immediate postnatal evaluation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apgar score”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apgar score”
- Writing 'apgar' in lowercase.
- Saying 'Apgar test score' is redundant, as 'score' is inherent.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They will Apgar the baby').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was developed by American anaesthesiologist Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952.
10, indicating the best possible condition across all five assessed criteria.
Not necessarily. A low score at one minute is common and often improves with routine care. A persistently low score at five or ten minutes may indicate a need for further medical support.
No. It is designed only to assess the need for immediate resuscitation and short-term physical health after birth. It is not a predictor of long-term development or intelligence.
A quick medical test given to newborns at one and five minutes after birth to assess their physical health, based on five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.
Apgar score is usually technical/medical. in register.
Apgar score: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæp.ɡɑː skɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæp.ɡɑr skɔr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Apgar reminds us of the 5 criteria: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration. Think: A Perfect Guide for Assessing a Newborn.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH IS A SCORE/NUMBER; THE START OF LIFE IS A TEST.
Practice
Quiz
What does an Apgar score primarily assess?