splint: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Mostly neutral to technical, common in medical and equestrian contexts.
Quick answer
What does “splint” mean?
A rigid or flexible device used to immobilise and support an injured body part, especially a broken bone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rigid or flexible device used to immobilise and support an injured body part, especially a broken bone.
A thin, rigid strip of material (wood, metal, plastic). Can refer to a piece of wood used to make baskets, a supportive structure for a horse's leg, or, as a verb, the act of applying such a device.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The spelling and pronunciation are identical. The term 'splint bone' is standard in both for the rudimentary bone in a horse's leg.
Connotations
Identical connotations of medical treatment, emergency care, and injury.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. Possibly slightly more frequent in US English due to higher reported accident statistics in media.
Grammar
How to Use “splint” in a Sentence
VERB + splint: apply, fit, remove, wearADJ + splint: makeshift, temporary, rigid, plasticsplint + VERB: support, immobilise, hold, protectsplint + for + NOUN: a splint for her wristVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “splint” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The first aider quickly splinted the injured cyclist's arm with a rolled-up magazine and bandages.
- Vets often need to splint the fragile legs of newborn foals.
American English
- Paramedics splinted the fracture before transporting the patient.
- He splinted his broken finger using a popsicle stick and tape.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
American English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
adjective
British English
- The splint material must be both rigid and lightweight.
- They used a splint bandage to secure the injury.
American English
- The splint design allows for some adjustment.
- She bought a splint kit for her home first-aid supplies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts of medical device manufacturing or insurance claims.
Academic
Common in medical, veterinary, and biological texts.
Everyday
Common in contexts of injury, first aid, and healthcare.
Technical
Standard term in orthopaedics, emergency medicine, and equine anatomy ('splint bone').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “splint”
- Incorrect: 'The doctor put a splint on my tyre.' (Correct: '...on my leg.')
- Incorrect spelling: 'splint' vs. 'splint' (common misspelling: 'splint' with an 'e').
- Confusing 'splint' (often temporary, may allow swelling) with 'cast' (rigid, long-term).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A splint is often used initially or for minor injuries; it may be flexible, removable, and allows for swelling. A cast is a hard, rigid shell (usually plaster or fibreglass) applied for longer-term stabilisation of more serious fractures.
Yes. 'To splint' means to apply a splint to an injured body part. (e.g., 'The doctor splinted the broken wrist.')
Etymologically, yes. Both come from Middle Dutch 'splinte', meaning a thin piece of wood. A 'splinter' is a sharp, thin piece broken off, while a 'splint' is a thin piece used for support.
Yes. Common types include: finger splints, air splints (inflatable), traction splints (for femur fractures), and thermoplastic splints (mouldable with heat). The type used depends on the injury and location.
A rigid or flexible device used to immobilise and support an injured body part, especially a broken bone.
Splint is usually mostly neutral to technical, common in medical and equestrian contexts. in register.
Splint: in British English it is pronounced /splɪnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /splɪnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly associated with the word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SPLINT' as 'SPLINT'ering a broken bone back together with INTernal support.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SPLINT IS A SUPPORTING FRAMEWORK / A SPLINT IS A TEMPORARY REPAIR.
Practice
Quiz
In which field would the term 'splint bone' most likely be used?