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.

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

Example Sentences

Performing abdominal thrusts or the Heimlich maneuver can force the item out of the body.

From Science Daily

Chris Slay, 37, would learn later how the hosts had tried to save Matt with the Heimlich maneuver.

From Los Angeles Times

“If I choke, you got to come over here and give me the Heimlich maneuver,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa thanked her Republican colleague Rand Paul of Kentucky on Thursday for performing the Heimlich maneuver on her as she choked during a Senate lunch.

From New York Times

In response to an X post revealing that Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican, administered the Heimlich maneuver to the Iowa Republican during their weekly lunch, Ms. Ernst thanked Mr. Paul.

From Washington Times