Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Fomentation
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Fomentation: A quaint old term for the application of hot packs or the substance so applied. From the Latin "fovimentum" which meant, no surprise, to "a warm application."
To "foment" means, literally, to warm or heat up. It is, figuratively, to incite. For example, to forment fear.