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

Examples of tourniquet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The film first premiered in Nashville last month, the hometown of a friend Sophie Pilkinton, who was in the water with her during the attack and applied a tourniquet to help save her life. Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025 This is the worst center situation in the West, with veteran tourniquet Kevon Looney imported to try to limit the bleeding. John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Immediately springing into action, Blue successfully applies a tourniquet to a bleeding bride-to-be, proving that being a first responder might just be in his blood. Andy Swift, TVLine, 9 Oct. 2025 While an officer applied a tourniquet on Ally Marshall, Austin Marshall saw Hall driving towards them and around the police vehicle blocking the road. Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tourniquet

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tourniquet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tourniquet. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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

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