Advertisement

Advertisement

Heimlich maneuver

[ hahym-lik ]

noun

  1. an emergency rescue procedure for application to someone choking on a foreign object, in which the rescuer places a fist between the victim's lower ribs or upper abdomen from behind and exerts sudden pressure in the form of thrusts of sufficient force to help eject the object from the windpipe.


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of Heimlich maneuver1

An Americanism first recorded in 1970–75; named after H. J. Heimlich (1920–2016), U.S. physician, who devised it

Discover More

Example Sentences

She was voted “most likely to need a Heimlich maneuver if you tell her a joke” when she graduated from law school.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


HeimdallHeimlich manoeuvre