clamp

KLAMP/klæmp/

Pluralclamps

Verbclamps, clamping, clamped

14 meanings of clamp

Practice

1
nouncountable
A tool that grips two or more things and holds them firmly together.
Like a strong hand squeezing two things so they stay put.
A clamp keeps the two pieces of wood pressed together while the glue sets.
She tightened the clamp until the shelf stopped wobbling.
Similarbrace, clasp, clip
Note
2
verbtransitive or intransitive
To hold or fix things firmly in place, with a clamp or in a similar way.
Like pressing two pieces together and locking them so they can't move.
She clamped the board to the table before sawing it.
The two halves clamp together with a satisfying click.
Similarfasten, fix, secure, clip
Oppositerelease, loosen, unfasten
Note
3
verbtransitive
To hold something very tightly so it cannot move.
Like squeezing something in a tight fist so it cannot slip out.
Fear can make you clamp your teeth together.
She clamped her hand over her mouth to stop laughing.
Similarclench, grip, press, squeeze, clasp
Oppositerelease, loosen, relax
4
nouncountable
A tool doctors use to press a blood vessel closed for a short time.
Like pinching a straw shut so nothing can flow through it.
The surgeon placed a clamp on the artery to stop the bleeding.
Once the wound was closed, the nurse removed the clamp.
Note
5
nounUKcountable
A metal lock fixed to a car wheel so the car cannot be driven away.
Like a lock that keeps a bike chained so no one can ride it away.
The traffic warden fitted a clamp to the car's front wheel.
They had to pay a fine before the clamp was taken off.
Similarboot
Note
6
verbtransitive
To lock a metal device onto a car's wheel so it cannot be driven.
Like chaining up a bike so the owner can't ride off.
The officers clamped his car for parking on the curb.
If you leave it there, they will clamp the van within minutes.
Similarboot, immobilize
7
nouncountable
A strip of wood fixed across the end of a board to keep it from bending.
Like a stiff strip that stops a board from bending out of shape.
A clamp along the edge keeps the wide panel from warping.
The old table had a clamp fitted across each end.
Similarbatten, cleat
Note
8
verbtransitive
To change a number so it stays within set limits, using the nearest allowed value.
Like turning a dial that won't go past its lowest or highest mark.
The program will clamp the value so it never goes above 100.
We clamped the brightness setting to keep it between zero and one.
Similarlimit, constrain, restrict, bound, cap
Note
9
nouncountable
A small circuit that pushes the top or bottom of an electrical signal to a set level.
Like a shelf that stops a bouncing ball from going below a certain height.
The clamp shifts the signal so its lowest point sits at zero volts.
Engineers added a clamp to keep the peaks from drifting.
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10
nouncountable
A covered heap of crops, like potatoes or beets, stored outside for a short time.
Like burying food under straw and soil to keep it safe until you need it.
The farmer built a clamp of potatoes and covered it with straw.
They opened the clamp in winter to take out the stored carrots.
Similarmound, pile, heap
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11
nouncountable
A heap of material stacked with fuel and burned slowly, used to fire bricks or make charcoal.
Like a big bonfire built in layers so the heat spreads through everything inside.
The brickmaker stacked the clay into a clamp and lit the fire.
Wood was burned in a clamp to turn it into charcoal.
Similarheap, pile, stack
Note

Less common meanings

12
noundatedcountable
A heavy step, or the loud sound of a heavy foot hitting the ground.
We heard the clamp of boots on the stairs.
In the school play, the kids laughed at every clamp of the giant's huge shoes.
Similartramp, clump, clomp, thud, tread
Note
13
verbdatedintransitive
To walk with heavy, loud, and clumsy steps.
Like stamping your feet loudly as you walk across a room.
You can hear him clamp around the kitchen every morning.
the policeman with clamping feet
1848, William Makepeace Thackeray, The History of Pendennis.Here, clamping means walking with heavy, loud, clumsy steps.
Similarclump, clomp, stomp, tramp, stamp
Oppositetiptoe, creep
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14
verbobsoleteUKtransitive
To cover stored vegetables with a layer of soil to keep them safe.
Like tucking vegetables under a blanket of soil to keep the cold out.
The gardeners clamped the potatoes before the first frost.
Each autumn they would clamp the carrots to store them through winter.
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of clamp apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–11, 14

It comes from Middle Dutch "clamp" or "klampe," meaning a clamp or hook.

Meanings 12–13

This word imitates a sound.