1
: something (such as a part of a sleeve or glove) encircling the wrist
2
: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg
3
a
: handcuff
—usually used in plural
b
: a usually wide metal band worn as a bracelet
4
: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer
see also:
Examples of cuff in a Sentence
Noun (1) the mama cat would give her kittens a cuff with a paw whenever they played too rough Noun (2) the policeman snapped the cuffs on and led the prisoner away to the car
Recent Examples on the Web
Sherri Gordon, Health, 21 Apr. 2026 Tyler Mikorski was about to board a flight to go on vacation with his girlfriend and her family on March 1 when police slapped cuffs on him. —Jason Abbruzzese, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Apr. 2026 The responding officers cuffed that first puncher and then talked to everyone to figure out what was going on. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cuff
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Keep your blood pressure cuff level with your heart, about mid-chest. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 21 Apr. 2026 Tyler Mikorski was about to board a flight to go on vacation with his girlfriend and her family on March 1 when police slapped cuffs on him. —Jason Abbruzzese, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
She was accused of having defense attorney Elizabeth Russell cuffed and placed in a jury seating area after the two argued over whether Russell had coached a client to change his plea. —Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Apr. 2026 The responding officers cuffed that first puncher and then talked to everyone to figure out what was going on. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cuff
Cite this Entry
“Cuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/cuff. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cuff
1 of 3 noun
1
: a part of a sleeve or glove that goes around the wrist
2
: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg
3
: a band that is capable of being inflated and is wrapped around an arm or leg to control the flow of blood through the part when measuring blood pressure
cuff
2 of 3 verb
: to strike with or as if with the palm of the hand
cuff
3 of 3 noun
: a blow with the hand especially when open : slap
Medical Definition
cuff
noun
1
: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer
2
: an anatomical structure shaped like a cuff
especially : rotator cuff
repair of complete shoulder cuff avulsion —Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology
Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology
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