splint

1 of 2

noun

ˈsplint 

variants or less commonly splent

ˈsplent 

1

: a small plate or strip of metal used in making armor

2

a

: a thin strip of wood suitable for interweaving (as into baskets)

b

: splinter

c

: material or a device used to protect and immobilize a body part (such as a broken arm)

3

: a bony enlargement on the upper part of the cannon bone of a horse usually on the inside of the leg

splint

2 of 2

verb

splinted; splinting; splints

transitive verb

1

: to support and immobilize (something, such as a broken bone) with a splint

2

: to brace with or as if with splints

Synonyms

Noun

• chip
• flake
• sliver
• spall
• splinter

Examples of splint in a Sentence

Noun

His leg was in a splint.

a splint off the board

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Soon the team was tracking the world of inflatable systems, something seen at the time in the form of air splints inside ski boots. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Dad immediately diagnosed it as a small fracture, put him in a splint and didn’t charge a co-pay for his services. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2024

Verb

Topical and oral pain relievers can be combined with other therapies, including splinting and hand and wrist exercises. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2024

The hand and wrist are then splinted to immobilize them, though the fingers can remain free. —Scott Sundick, Verywell Health, 3 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Middle Low German splinte, splente; probably akin to Middle Dutch splitten to split

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing splint

• splint bone

Kids Definition

splint

1 of 2 noun

ˈsplint 

1

: a thin flexible strip of wood woven together with others in making a chair seat or basket

2

: splinter entry 1

3

: material or a device used to protect a body part (as a broken arm) and keep it in place

splint

2 of 2 verb

: to support and hold in place with or as if with a splint or splints

Medical Definition

splint

1 of 2 noun

ˈsplint 

1

: material or a device used to protect and immobilize a body part

a plaster splint for a fractured leg

a dental splint

2

: a bony enlargement on the upper part of the cannon bone of a horse usually on the inside of the leg

splint

2 of 2 transitive verb

1

: to support and immobilize (as a broken bone) with a splint

2

: to protect against pain by reducing the motion of

the patient splinted his chest by a fixed position and shallow breathing