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 spray is an ideal solution to wounds like gunshots, shrapnel injuries, deep or awkward cuts, and situations where tourniquets or gauze don’t work well. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026

After shooting Chakraborty, the officers provided first aid, and used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, NYPD Assistant Chief Chris McIntosh said the day of the shooting. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026

Eyewitness Max White said another surfer had kept the man alive using his board's leg rope as a makeshift tourniquet to stem the bleeding. —Alasdair Pal, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026

Upon reaching the unconscious boy, emergency responders applied tourniquets to his legs to stop heavy bleeding before transferring him to a police boat. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 19 Jan. 2026

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