tourniquet

noun

tour·​ni·​quet ˈtu̇r-ni-kət How to pronounce tourniquet (audio) ˈtər- How to pronounce tourniquet (audio)
: a device (such as a band of rubber) that checks bleeding or blood flow by compressing blood vessels

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The first hero, a college student, turned his belt into a tourniquet; the second, a police officer, commandeered a truck. BostonGlobe.com, 12 Apr. 2023 The burrito-sized pack comes with a pressure applicator to act as a tourniquet, too. Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2023 In addition to bandages, tape, and topical ointments, the affordable pouch contains many foldable items, like an emergency blanket, a tourniquet, and a CPR mask. Michael Menna, Verywell Health, 6 Feb. 2023 Give me a tourniquet. New York Times, 20 July 2022 An officer applied a tourniquet to one of the victims. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 9 Apr. 2023 Another officer applied a tourniquet to the injured officer’s leg. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Jan. 2023 The agents applied a tourniquet to both legs. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2022 The officers applied a tourniquet to his upper leg and attempted to stop the bleeding in his upper body as well. Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 21 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tourniquet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tourniquet was in 1695

Dictionary Entries Near tourniquet

Cite this Entry

“Tourniquet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tourniquet. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

tourniquet

noun
tour·​ni·​quet ˈtu̇r-ni-kət How to pronounce tourniquet (audio) ˈtər- How to pronounce tourniquet (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce tourniquet (audio) ˈtər- How to pronounce tourniquet (audio)
: a device (as a bandage twisted tight with a stick) to check bleeding or blood flow

More from Merriam-Webster on tourniquet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!