Meaning
swab, buffer, tampon
- medical swab (nasal or throat test)
- pad, tampon, or compress for soaking up fluid or ink
- buffer or shock absorber (technical or figurative)
In a sentence
Ho fatto un tampone rapido e il risultato è negativo.
I took a rapid swab test and the result is negative.
Devi fare un tampone prima di entrare in ospedale?
Do you have to take a swab test before entering the hospital?
Il medico usa un tampone per pulire la ferita.
The doctor uses a swab to clean the wound.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| tampone | masculine · singular |
| tamponi | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- In modern everyday Italian, almost universally recognized for medical diagnostic swabs (e.g., COVID or strep tests).
- For menstrual tampons, 'assorbente interno' is also very widely used.