Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

swab test

noun
/swäb tɛst/
Definition
A medical test that involves using a swab (usually a cotton swab) to collect samples from a person’s body, often for the purpose of detecting infections or diseases.
Examples
  • The doctor performed a swab test to check for strep throat.
  • During the pandemic, swab tests became a routine method for detecting COVID-19.
  • She was nervous about the swab test but knew it was necessary to rule out infection.
Meaning
A swab test is primarily used to collect biological samples from various areas of the body, such as the throat, nose, or vagina, to test for different ailments or pathogens.
Synonyms
  • sample test
  • cotton swab test
  • screening test