Heimlich maneuver

noun

Heim·​lich maneuver ˈhīm-lik- 

: the manual application of sudden upward pressure on the upper abdomen of a choking victim to force a foreign object from the trachea

Examples of Heimlich maneuver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the back slaps did not work, the officer turned the child around and performed the Heimlich maneuver, which dislodged a piece of a hot dog. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 July 2025

Attendees also learned how to use an AED device and how to perform the Heimlich maneuver on children and adults. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025

Like the Heimlich maneuver or the Cleveland Browns, the invention is probably more famous than the inventor. —Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Apr. 2025

Moore was eating a granola bar and began gasping for air when Branch stepped in to perform the Heimlich maneuver. —Sam Gillette, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Henry J. Heimlich born1920 American surgeon

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Heimlich maneuver

• approver
• improver
• remover
• louver
• mover

Kids Definition

Heimlich maneuver

noun

Heim·​lich maneuver ˈhīm-lik- 

: a method for forcing an object out the airway of a choking person that involves standing behind the person with arms wrapped about the person's waist and applying sudden upward pressure with the fist to the area directly above the navel

Etymology

named after Henry J. Heimlich, an American surgeon born in 1920

Medical Definition

Heimlich maneuver

noun

Heim·​lich maneuver

ˈhīm-lik-

: the manual application of sudden upward pressure on the upper abdomen of a choking victim to force a foreign object from the trachea