Word
splint
US/ˈspɫɪnt/
UK/splˈɪnt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a stiff support you wear around a broken bone to keep it still while it heals. Doctors often use one before putting on a full cast.
n. a rigid support applied to a fractured or injured limb to restrict movement during healing. Typically formed from wood, metal, or molded plastic and secured with bandaging.
Examples
“The nurse puts a splint on his broken wrist.”
“After the fall, the doctor puts her ankle in a splint to keep it still until the swelling goes down.”
“The field medic fashioned a temporary splint from branches and cloth to stabilize the hiker's fractured forearm for the long descent.”
Examples
simple
“The nurse puts a splint on his broken wrist.”
contextual
“After the fall, the doctor puts her ankle in a splint to keep it still until the swelling goes down.”
complex
“The field medic fashioned a temporary splint from branches and cloth to stabilize the hiker's fractured forearm for the long descent.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “splint” in context.
Verb
01. adjust splint
“If the splint feels too tight, ask the clinic to adjust it.”
verb + noun
02. apply splint
“The nurse applied a splint to stop his ankle from moving.”
verb + noun
03. remove splint
“Do not remove the splint until the doctor says it is safe.”
verb + noun
04. splint holds
“This splint holds the finger straight so the bone can heal.”
noun + verb
05. splint protects
“The splint protects the break from further injury.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. padded splint
“He wore a padded splint that felt comfortable against his skin.”
adj + noun
07. plastic splint
“She has a light plastic splint on her thumb after the fall.”
adj + noun
08. rigid splint
“The doctor fitted a rigid splint to keep her broken wrist still.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. ankle splint
“She left the hospital with an ankle splint and crutches.”
noun + noun
10. finger splint
“He wore a small finger splint after hurting his joint.”
noun + noun
11. keep the splint dry
“Keep the splint dry and cover it when you take a shower.”
12. put in a splint
“Her broken arm was put in a splint at the emergency room.”
Etymology
From Middle English splint, splent, splente, from Middle Low German splinte, splente or Middle Dutch splint, splinte. Cognate with Old High German splinza (“bar, bolt, latch”). All ultimately from Proto-Germanic splintǭ, splintō (“piece of wood, splinter”), from Proto-Germanic splint-, splind- (“to split”), from a nasalized form of splītaną (“to split”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)pley- (“to split, splice”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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