French word

tampon

Pronunciation

IPA/tɑ̃pɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nountampon

Example

Elle a acheté un tampon en pharmacie.

She bought a tampon at the pharmacy.

Illustration for tampon (tampon)

More examples

Elle a dû mettre un tampon avant de sortir.

She had to insert a tampon before going out.

Core concept

A compact absorbent plug used to take up liquid inside a confined space.

Common phrases

  • tampon hygiénique

    tampon

  • utiliser un tampon

    use a tampon

  • retirer un tampon

    take out a tampon

Similar words

serviette hygiénique: A flat disposable pad worn inside underwear to absorb menstrual blood.
timbre: A small paper label attached to mail to pay the postage.
tampon encreur: A small inked tool pressed onto paper or other surfaces to make a mark.

Definition in French

Dispositif hygiénique cylindrique inséré dans le vagin pour absorber le flux menstruel.

Word origin

French tampon comes from Old French tampon, meaning a plug or stopper, and its menstrual sense developed from this absorbent function.

Usage tips

  • Tampon is masculine, so the standard phrase is "un tampon" rather than "une tampon".

Other meanings

  • stampnoun

Related words

  • tamponnerhit from behindverb
  • tamponnéstampedadjective

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