tourniquet

noun

tour·​ni·​quet ˈtu̇r-ni-kət  ˈtər- 

: a device (such as a band of rubber) that checks bleeding or blood flow by compressing blood vessels

Examples of tourniquet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The attorney claimed Kaplan tried rushing to the man to offer him a tourniquet, yet became worried when the man retreated into his house, and subsequently moved his truck a couple houses away. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025

Hallandale Beach Ocean Rescue and Hollywood Fire Rescue found him near the 4100 block of South Ocean Drive with significant cuts on his upper arm, requiring a tourniquet. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 23 July 2025

Do not apply a tourniquet or other constricting device. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025

The boy had a gunshot wound to his right shoulder and needed a tourniquet, the report stated. —Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, turnstile, tourniquet, from tourner to turn, from Old French — more at turn

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tourniquet

noun

tour·​ni·​quet ˈtu̇r-ni-kət  ˈtər- 

: a device (as a band of rubber) used to stop or slow bleeding or blood flow by compressing blood vessels

Medical Definition

tourniquet

noun

tour·​ni·​quet ˈtu̇r-ni-kət  ˈtər- 

: a device (as a bandage twisted tight with a stick) to check bleeding or blood flow