Meanings
Synonyms & antonyms
proper nounA system for reporting cervical or vaginal cytologic diagnoses, specifically Pap smear results.
proper nounA similar system for cytopathology of thyroid nodules.
Origin
From Bethesda, Maryland, United States, where a conference was held that established the system.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
Bethesda system. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bethesda%20system
“Bethesda system.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bethesda%20system. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Bethesda system,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bethesda%20system.
Source: Bethesda system on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.