1 clamp | Definition of clamp

clamp

noun
\ ˈklamp How to pronounce clamp (audio) \

Definition of clamp

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a device designed to bind or constrict or to press two or more parts together so as to hold them firmly
2 : any of various instruments or appliances having parts brought together for holding or compressing something

clamp

verb
clamped; clamping; clamps

Definition of clamp (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to fasten with or as if with a clamp clamp two boards together
2a : to place by decree : impose often used with on clamped on a curfew after the riots
b : to hold tightly

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Synonyms & Antonyms for clamp

Synonyms: Verb

anchor, catch, fasten, fix, hitch, moor, secure, set

Antonyms: Verb

loose, loosen, unfasten, unfix, unloose, unloosen

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Examples of clamp in a Sentence

Verb

The surgeon clamped the vein. He clamped the two pieces of wood together. The bit was clamped firmly between the horse's teeth. He clamped his mouth shut and refused to speak.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Somehow, after what seemed like 28 separate transactions to construct a respectable outfield, Alex Dickerson and Mike Yastrzemski survived to put the clamps on that revolving door. Bruce Jenkins, SFChronicle.com, "Big crowd, big emotions for Madison Bumgarner’s start," 24 July 2019 Godfrey took a harmonica and used a radiator clamp to attach a bullet microphone, the type favored by many blues players, to the rack, along with a harmonica. Matt Wake | [email protected], al.com, "The ‘other guy’ in an iconic Huntsville band," 18 June 2019 There are two simple parts to this life-changing hanger: the top piece, which snaps onto the picture frame wire with clamps to lock it in place, and the hanger, which slides onto the bottom wall receiver and interlocks with the top piece. Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Finally, a Picture Hanging Tool That Automatically Levels the Frame," 16 May 2019 Intrigued, Heisser built a special spaghetti-snapping device with a clamp on either end to hold the strand. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "MIT scientists crack the case of breaking spaghetti in two," 15 Aug. 2018 Meanwhile Trae Young is 0-for-9 from the floor – as Javon Carter has put the clamps on him pic.twitter.com/FpeguBjJuu — Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) July 2, 2018 His first bucket would come three minutes into the third quarter. Andrew Joseph, For The Win, "Trae Young got off to a dreadful start in his first NBA Summer League game," 2 July 2018 JaVale put the clamps on the Spurs’ top scorer LaMarcus Aldridge, whom Kerr calls the most dangerous low-post scorer in the league. Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, "McGee’s defense stands out at starting center against Spurs," 14 Apr. 2018 The Crusaders will have to put the clamps on North’s Julia Ayrault, one of the top players in the state regardless of class. Mick Mccabe, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan high school girls basketball quarters: Son of Swami's picks," 12 Mar. 2018 Once the Ducks went up 19-12, Oregon put the clamps on UCLA, preventing the Bruins from hitting a field goal for the next six minutes, propelling Oregon to a 14-point halftime lead. Tyson Alger, OregonLive.com, "Oregon Ducks 94, UCLA Bruins 91: Game at a glance," 20 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Step 6: Apply glue to a divider (B), position it against the bottom (A), and clamp in position (Project Diagram, Drawing 1). Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Your Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Platform Bed Frame," 30 Aug. 2019 How to Be an Antiracist is a journal of Kendi's efforts to free himself of the ideological manacles clamped upon him by a society suffused with white supremacism, capitalist exploitation, misogyny and the repression of unconventional sexuality. Dallas News, "A black author grapples with his own racism in 'How to Be an Antiracist'," 26 Aug. 2019 Start by clamping or screwing the sharpener to your workbench. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How To Sharpen Your Chainsaw Like a Pro," 24 July 2019 But third base coach and former infielder Matt Williams and infield neighbor Marcus Semien have been instrumental in helping Profar clamp those dangerous yips. Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "Real talk with A’s Profar: ‘When I try, I suck’ … ‘I’m fighting myself every night’," 20 June 2019 Elisa wrote that her husband, Matthew, threw himself in front of her and their two boys while the wolf tore through the tent and clamped onto Matthew’s arms. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, "Wolf tries to drag man from family’s tent in Banff National Park," 14 Aug. 2019 Elisa wrote that her husband, Matthew, threw himself in front of her and their two boys while the wolf tore through the tent and clamped onto Matthew's arms. Leah Asmelash, CNN, "A family of four was on a camping trip in Canada. Then a wolf attacked while they were sleeping," 14 Aug. 2019 The champion rose from his seat and shuffled down the hallway, requiring the help of two members of his entourage to guide him with his eyes clamped shut. Greg Bishop, SI.com, "'This Would Be a Great Way to Go Out': Behind the Scenes of Pacquiao’s Win Over Thurman," 21 July 2019 Karwande and Affleck left the operating room after the surgery without removing or clamping the tube, the lawsuit states. Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, "Utah woman bled to death into a garbage can during botched heart surgery, lawsuit says," 19 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clamp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of clamp

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for clamp

Noun

Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch *klampe; akin to Old English clamm bond, fetter — more at clam

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More Definitions for clamp

clamp

noun

English Language Learners Definition of clamp

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a device that holds or presses parts tightly together

clamp

verb

English Language Learners Definition of clamp (Entry 2 of 2)

: to hold or press (things or parts of a thing) tightly together with a device : to fasten or tighten (something) with a clamp
: to press or squeeze (something)

clamp

noun
\ ˈklamp How to pronounce clamp (audio) \

Kids Definition of clamp

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a device that holds or presses parts together firmly

clamp

verb
clamped; clamping

Kids Definition of clamp (Entry 2 of 2)

: to fasten or to hold tightly with or as if with a clamp