tampon

[tam-pon]

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noun

a plug of cotton or the like for insertion into an orifice, wound, etc., chiefly for absorbing blood or stopping hemorrhages.

such a plug used for absorbing menstrual flow, especially one that is manufactured commercially.

a two-headed drumstick for playing rolls.

verb (used with object)

to fill or plug with a tampon.

Origin of tampon

From French, dating back to 1855–60; see origin at tampion

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for tampon

blockade, wedge, spigot, occlusion, connection, cork, filling, river, fitting, bung, stopple, lid, stopper, tap, cap, stop, obstruction, fastener, bolt, latch

Examples from the Web for tampon

Historical Examples of tampon

Feeling that we should shortly get the order to advance, I resolved to secure some souvenir of Tampon, as we called him.
Mated from the Morgue
John Augustus O'Shea

British Dictionary definitions for tampon

tampon

noun

a plug of lint, cotton wool, cotton, etc, inserted into an open wound or body cavity to stop the flow of blood, absorb secretions, etc, esp one inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood

verb

(tr) to plug (a wound, etc) with a tampon

Derived Formstamponage, noun

Word Origin for tampon

C19: via French from Old French tapon a little plug, from tape a plug, of Germanic origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for tampon

1848, from French tampon, from Middle French tampon "plug" (see tampion). Tampax, proprietary name registered in U.S. 1932, is based on tampon.

tampon in Medicine

tampon

[tăm′pŏn′]

n.

A plug of absorbent material inserted into a body cavity or wound to check a flow of blood or to absorb secretions, especially one designed for insertion into the vagina during menstruation.

v.

To plug or stop with a tampon.