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 victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment by Boston EMS after the officers applied tourniquets to their wounds, BPD said. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026

Do not apply a tourniquet, slash the wound with a knife or attempt to suck out the venom, officials warned. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026

The video shows officers rushing him to safety and quickly applying a tourniquet. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026

The letter thanked Mix, a bystander, for his quick thinking to use a stick and a shirt to apply a tourniquet to the victim’s bleeding leg while waiting for help to arrive. —Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 10 Mar. 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