English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

tourniquet

TOOR-nih-kay

Tourniquet (noun) means a tight band or device wrapped around a limb to stop severe bleeding by cutting off blood flow. Example: “The medic applied a tourniquet above the wound to stop the bleeding.”

noun
1
A tight band or device wrapped around a limb to stop severe bleeding by cutting off blood flow.
"The medic applied a tourniquet above the wound to stop the bleeding."

How to use tourniquet

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tight band used in emergencies to stop heavy bleeding from a limb.

Common pairings
apply a tourniquet improvised tourniquet

Word forms

tourniqueted past tense, tourniquetted past tense, tourniquets plural, tourniquets singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “tourniquet” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The medic applied a _____ above the wound to stop the bleeding.

Etymology

From French tourniquet, related to tourner ("to turn"), referring to how the band is twisted tight.

Origin: French

compression bandage

Rhymes for tourniquet

See all rhymes for tourniquet →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tourniquet” mean?

The word “tourniquet” means a tight band or device wrapped around a limb to stop severe bleeding by cutting off blood flow. In plain terms, a tight band used in emergencies to stop heavy bleeding from a limb.

How do you pronounce “tourniquet”?

“Tourniquet” is pronounced TOOR-nih-kay (/ˈtɝ.nɪ.kɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “tourniquet” in a sentence?

Here is “tourniquet” used in a sentence: “The medic applied a tourniquet above the wound to stop the bleeding.”

What part of speech is “tourniquet”?

“Tourniquet” is a noun.

Where does the word “tourniquet” come from?

The word “tourniquet” comes from French. From French tourniquet, related to tourner ("to turn"), referring to how the band is twisted tight.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial