Showing results for "cupping"

• present participle of cup.

cupping

American  

[kuhp-ing] / ˈkʌp ɪŋ /

noun

1. the process of drawing blood from the body by scarification and the application of a cupping glass, or by the application of a cupping glass without scarification, as for relieving internal congestion or for loosening and stimulating the muscles.

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cupping British  

/ ˈkʌpɪŋ /

noun

1. archaic med the process of applying a cupping glass to the skin

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Etymology

Origin of cupping

First recorded in 1350–1400; cup ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cupping

Adherents swear by cupping therapy as a way to manage muscle pain and detoxify, but more spas are touting it as the ideal postflight treatment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

Often, like in my treatment in Singapore, cupping is paired with gua sha, creating a push and pull on the skin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

The official Instagram account for the Belgium national team also appeared to mock the debacle, posting a picture of striker Romelu Lukaku cupping his ear with the caption "overturn this".

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

And that alone is worth making like Lee and cupping my own hands around my mouth for an enthusiastic yell.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2025

Someone put his face against the window, cupping his hands to see through the gloom.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer