How to pronounce tourniquet
Say it like TUR-nih-kit. Tourniquet has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tourniquet. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TUR
- nih
- kit
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tourniquet pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- nihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kitKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of tourniquet
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TOOR-nih-kay.
What does tourniquet mean?
- A tightly-compressed bandage used to stop bleeding by stopping the flow of blood through a large artery in a limb.
- Any of several similar methods of clamping components into position.
- To apply a tourniquet bandage.
Where does tourniquet come from?
From French tourniquet, from tourner (“to turn”).
Questions about saying tourniquet
How do you pronounce tourniquet?
Say TUR-nih-kit. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɝnɪkɪt/. In British English it is /ˈtʊənɪkeɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tourniquet?
Tourniquet has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR). Broken into parts: TUR · nih · kit.
Is tourniquet pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈtʊənɪkeɪ/ (TOOR-nih-kay).