tampon

American  

[tam-pon] / ˈtæm pɒn /

noun

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

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

3. a two-headed drumstick for playing rolls.

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verb (used with object)

1. to fill or plug with a tampon.

tampon British  

/ ˈtæmpɒn /

noun

1. 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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• tamponage noun

Etymology

Origin of tampon

From French, dating back to 1855–60; tampion

Example Sentences

I got my period and asked a woman in the train station for a tampon.

From Slate • Oct. 28, 2024

It's childish and weird to act like even looking at a tampon box will emasculate you.

From Salon • Aug. 8, 2024

Allusions to the royal family’s bloody colonial past, Charles and Camilla’s infamous tampon scandal and the family’s current woes, including the king’s recent cancer diagnosis, ran rampant.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2024

Lara is 18 months into a hospital admission and says she's experienced inadequate access to products, a lack of sanitary bins and being watched as she changed a tampon.

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2023

Around her dress, Taylor had constructed a makeshift bandolier out of airplane seat belts, a pink unicorn wallet, and a tampon carrying case.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Related Words

• blockade