tampon

1 of 2

noun

tam·​pon ˈtam-ˌpän How to pronounce tampon (audio)
: a wad of absorbent material (as of cotton) introduced into a body cavity or canal usually to absorb secretions (as from menstruation) or to arrest hemorrhaging

tampon

2 of 2

verb

tamponed; tamponing; tampons

transitive verb

: to place or insert a tampon into

Examples of tampon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In 2020, Scotland provided free tampons and sanitary pads for everyone, followed by New Zealand, which started the giveaways in all schools in 2021. Jitsiree Thongnoi, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Jan. 2024 The measure would remove the sales tax on the purchase of menstrual products, defined as tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, pads, period panties and other similar products. The Courier-Journal, 5 Jan. 2024 Sequel cofounders Greta Meyer and Amanda Calabrese hope a sampling campaign will help the product compete against dominant tampon brands. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2023 Willner added that some state legislators also question whether the tampon tax should go away. Joe Murphy, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2024 And abolishing the tampon tax is just the beginning to creating a more equitable society. Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com, 18 Oct. 2023 When most people think of toxic shock, the first risk factor that leaps to mind is usually high absorbency tampons. Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 2024 More recently, the catastrophic effects of climate change on crops such as cotton have caused yet further price hikes; in 2022, after Texas farmers abandoned 74 percent of their cotton crop, tampon prices rose 13 percent. Laura Kolbe, The New York Review of Books, 18 Jan. 2024 The campaign aims to correct misinformation around period products such as tampons, according to a press release. Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 24 Oct. 2023
Verb
For the average person, the most visible health care detritus are disposable apparatuses used at home, from respiratory inhalers to syringes to tampon applicators to oxygen masks and tubing. Ted Alcorn, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024 But, while rare, TSS is still happening to tampon users. Shanetta McDonald, Allure, 4 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tampon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, literally, plug, from Middle French — more at tamp

First Known Use

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tampon was in 1848

Dictionary Entries Near tampon

Cite this Entry

“Tampon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tampon. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tampon

noun
tam·​pon
ˈtam-ˌpän
: a wad of absorbent material (as cotton) placed in a body cavity or canal usually to absorb secretions (as from menstruation) or to stop heavy or uncontrolled bleeding

Medical Definition

tampon

1 of 2 noun
tam·​pon ˈtam-ˌpän How to pronounce tampon (audio)
: a wad of absorbent material (as cotton) introduced into a body cavity or canal usually to absorb secretions (as from menstruation) or to arrest hemorrhaging

tampon

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to place or insert a tampon into

More from Merriam-Webster on tampon

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