definitions

tampon

[ tam-pon ]
/ ˈtæm pɒn /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tampon ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

tamperproof, tampico, tampico hemp, tamping, tampion, tampon, tamponade, tamponage, tampur, tamworth, tan

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

Examples from the Web for 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

/ (ˈtæmpɒn) /

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

tampon

n.

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

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for tampon

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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.