dilator: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “dilator” mean?
A person, agent, or instrument that causes something to widen, expand, or open.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, agent, or instrument that causes something to widen, expand, or open.
In medicine, a slender surgical instrument designed to gently enlarge a bodily opening or passage, such as a blood vessel, cervix, or stricture. By extension, can refer to any agent or situation that causes delay or procrastination (dilator of time/action).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Spelling is consistent. Both use it primarily in medical contexts.
Connotations
In both dialects, the word is strongly associated with clinical or surgical procedures. The 'procrastinator' sense is obsolete and not recognised by most speakers.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general English but standard within medical and surgical fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “dilator” in a Sentence
The surgeon used a [type] dilator to [verb] the [body part].A [adjective] dilator is an instrument for dilating the [body part].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and physiological papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A layperson might say 'the thing they use to open it up'.
Technical
Core technical term in surgery, gynaecology, cardiology, and otolaryngology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dilator”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dilator”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dilator”
- Mispronouncing it as /dɪˈlæt.ər/ (like 'dilute').
- Using it in everyday conversation.
- Confusing it with 'diluter' (a device that makes a liquid less concentrated).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, yes, based on an old meaning of 'dilate' (to postpone). However, this usage is now obsolete. In modern English, 'procrastinator' is the correct term. 'Dilator' is almost exclusively a medical instrument.
A dilator is specifically designed to gradually enlarge or stretch a passage (like a blood vessel or the cervix). A speculum is designed to hold open an existing cavity (like the vagina or nasal passage) for examination. Some instruments combine both functions.
In British English, it's /daɪˈleɪ.tər/ (dye-LAY-tuh). In American English, it's often /ˈdaɪˌleɪ.t̬ɚ/ (DYE-lay-der), with a flapped 't' sound and primary stress on the first syllable.
No. The verb form is 'to dilate'. 'Dilator' is only a noun referring to the agent or instrument that performs the action of dilating.
A person, agent, or instrument that causes something to widen, expand, or open.
Dilator is usually technical/medical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DILATE-or' – it's the thing that MAKES something DILATE.'
Conceptual Metaphor
AN INSTRUMENT IS AN AGENT (The tool is personified as the 'one who does the dilating').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the word 'dilator' most commonly and correctly used?