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

Any other do-it-yourself remedies, like trying to suck the venom out of the wound, wrapping a tourniquet around the wound or applying ice to the wound may only worsen the symptoms. —Annie Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 19 July 2024

The two college swimmers managed to swim some 50 to 75 yards back to the boat, where her friend could apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 6 Sep. 2024

On Webster’s bodycam video, he’s seen handing a tourniquet to the team working on Elisabeth and asking about the extent of her injuries. —Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2024

Some deputies practiced tying tourniquets or carrying injured survivors to a room down a side corridor to be treated in one of the two-and-a-half minute drills. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2024

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