Stint or Stent – Difference in Meaning & Usage

Our language is full of words that sound so alike yet mean vastly different things, like the lexical labyrinth of stent versus stint. To the untrained ear, they may seem swappable, but they couldn’t be more different. So, let’s take a moment to scrutinize these two terms so you’ll never get them mixed up again.

Stent vs. Stint: Meanings and Differences

For the most part, a stent is a small tube made of metal or plastic that doctors place into a blocked passageway to keep it open. Most commonly, it’s a medical apparatus used to open up blocked coronary arteries in heart patients.

My husband’s grandfather had this procedure done several times, so I’m quite familiar with the correct term. It’s classed as a noun, and we use it to refer to a physical object used in the medical field. Basically, it’s like a brace but for your arteries.

But stint is also a word that can function as both a verb and a noun. The verb stint means to limit or restrict something, usually in the context of being cheap or frugal.

But the noun stint describes a period of time spent doing something, like a work shift or a short fling you had with the neighbor.

Heart Stent or Stint

When we’re talking about cardiac health, the correct term to use is heart stent. So, if you hear someone mention a heart stint, feel free to gently correct them unless they’re referring to a short period of time they spent focusing on heart health!

Synonyms for Stent

Seeing other ways to say a word can help you visualize what it really means.

• Tube
• Catheter
• Canal

What Is the Synonym of Stint?

Since it’s a dual-use term, let’s make a list for both the verb and noun versions.

As a Verb

• Restrict
• Limit
• Conserve

As a Noun

• Spell
• Period
• Interval

Stent Examples in a Sentence

• My husband’s surgeon inserted a stent into his main artery to improve blood flow after his heart attack.
• The stent will remain in place after the procedure to keep the artery open.
• The patient was relieved that the stent inserted had successfully alleviated his heart condition.

Stint Examples in a Sentence

Again, let’s break this down by verbs and nouns. 

As a Verb

• We need to stint on our water usage until we know this drought is coming to an end.
• Jane never stints on effort when it comes to helping the people she loves.

As a Noun

• Jay did a one-year stint in the military before starting college to study economics.
• My 10-day stint as a volunteer at the animal shelter was incredibly rewarding, and I got to play with puppies all day!

Stint vs. Stent: Now You Know

There you have it—the stent versus stint mystery unraveled. With this info, you can now confidently use these two words accurately. Don’t forget that stint can be used as both a noun and a verb! Until next time, keep exploring the wonders of English and check out my other grammar guides!