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

Chloe instructed her husband to make tourniquets in hopes of slowing the bleeding. —Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024

The insect chews through the layer, and eventually the damage is akin to putting a permanent tourniquet on the tree. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024

Connor Evans used a towel as a tourniquet to wrap his older brother’s shoulder as the friend called his father. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 12 Apr. 2024

Hunt wound up talking Rosie through creating a tourniquet and ultimately saving Joseph's life. —Breanne L. Heldman, Peoplemag, 17 May 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