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.
Responding police officers found the girl suffering from catastrophic injuries to her left hand and applied a tourniquet before rushing her to Staten Island University Hospital. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Responding officers used a tourniquet on the girl’s hand before medics rushed her to Staten Island University Hospital North for care. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026 Igoe said deputies treated the man with a chest seal and tourniquet. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 The tourniquet must be placed above the wound and tightened to the point where a pulse can no longer be felt, according to Perry. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 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

tourneyer
tourniquet
tournure
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tourniquet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tourniquet. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on tourniquet

Nglish: Translation of tourniquet for Spanish Speakers

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