tampon

1 of 2

noun

tam·​pon ˈtam-ˌpän 

: a wad of absorbent material (as of cotton) introduced into a body cavity or canal usually to absorb secretions (as from menstruation) or to arrest hemorrhaging

tampon

2 of 2

verb

tamponed; tamponing; tampons

transitive verb

: to place or insert a tampon into

Examples of tampon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Organic tampons contained higher levels of arsenic, while nonorganic tampons had higher levels of lead, the study found. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 11 Sep. 2024

Half of the increase was dedicated to serving the adults in the school system and 65 other new mandates having little to do with improving educational outcomes, like fringe liberal pet projects to stock boys’ bathrooms with tampons. —Chris Moya, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2024

Verb

For the average person, the most visible health care detritus are disposable apparatuses used at home, from respiratory inhalers to syringes to tampon applicators to oxygen masks and tubing. —Ted Alcorn, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024

But, while rare, TSS is still happening to tampon users. —Shanetta McDonald, Allure, 4 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, literally, plug, from Middle French — more at tamp

First Known Use

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tampon

noun

tam·​pon

ˈtam-ˌpän

: a wad of absorbent material (as cotton) placed in a body cavity or canal usually to absorb secretions (as from menstruation) or to stop heavy or uncontrolled bleeding

Medical Definition

tampon

1 of 2 noun

tam·​pon ˈtam-ˌpän 

: a wad of absorbent material (as cotton) introduced into a body cavity or canal usually to absorb secretions (as from menstruation) or to arrest hemorrhaging

tampon

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to place or insert a tampon into