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

Officers rendered emergency aid, applying a tourniquet on the scene, before Scooter was transported to the hospital. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2025

Don't use a tourniquet Don't try to suction out the venom, and don't cut or slice the bite Keep the affected extremity elevated while traveling to a medical facility. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025

Gunfire at Miami-area bar kills security guard, injures officer and six others, police say One of the officers was struck in the upper thigh and applied a tourniquet on himself, Lopez told reporters Saturday outside the crime scene. —Charles Rabin and, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025

The man, of unknown age, was struck somewhere on the body and the officers applied a tourniquet before he was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center and initially reported in critical condition. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025

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