clamp

1 of 2

noun

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

2 of 2

verb

clamped; clamping; clamps

transitive verb

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

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But obstetric clamps and wooden boxes containing toys have also been denied, Soeripto said. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Cable ties could also be used, or a clamp if available. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2024 Other headsets, like the Meta Quest Pro (more on that below), have an adjustable clamp to keep the headset in place. Mike Williams, wsj.com, 12 Dec. 2023 Make annoying phone clamps a thing of the past with the Moment Tripod Mount for MagSafe, which works with virtually any tripod. Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2024 The old clamp hands had a single pivot at the palm and seemed to just apply the maximum grip strength to anything the robot picked up. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024 All of their panels had locks, chains and clamps, Meagher said. The Arizona Republic, 28 Jan. 2024 Tools commonly left behind included surgical swabs, clamps, drill bits, scalpels, and, in one case, even part of a pair of wire cutters. Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024 Suffice to say that the countertops were a hit, so Ben made his own with clamps and glue in his woodshop for renovations done during the first two seasons. Kelsey Mulvey, House Beautiful, 8 Sep. 2023
Verb
Several of his teammates soon followed, clamping the Lightning (19-2, 13-2) in the final minute. Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2024 Lillard, the team’s offensive engineer, spent the series getting clamped by Jrue Holiday, a defensive specialist. Corbin Smith, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2023 Equipment was also clamped onto the truck, appearing to hold the vehicle up as responders continued their investigation. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2024 His lips, typically clamped in a rigid line, curled into a smile. Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 20 Dec. 2023 The entire industry depends on this, the jaws of the fifth wheel clamping properly around the kingpin. Emily Gogolak, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 It’s designed to clamp onto the bedframe or slide between the boxspring and mattress to provide nearby space for everything from phones to snacks. Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2023 This stocking and garland holder has rubber pads to prevent scratching, and an adjustable extension rod that allows the hangers to firmly clamp your mantel without nails or weights. L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2023 The Duck River Darter Snapper—a member of a genus that has already lost most of its species to extinction—lures and then clamps its shell shut on the head of a hapless fish, inoculating it with larvae. Robert Kunzig, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clamp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clamp was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near clamp

Cite this Entry

“Clamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamp. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

clamp

1 of 2 noun
: a device that holds or presses parts together firmly

clamp

2 of 2 verb
: to fasten or tighten with or as if with a clamp

Medical Definition

clamp

1 of 2 noun
: any of various instruments or appliances having parts brought together for holding or compressing something
especially : an instrument used to hold, compress, or crush vessels and hollow organs and to aid in surgical excision of parts
an arterial clamp

clamp

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to fasten with or as if with a clamp
the descending thoracic aorta was clampedW. A. Banks et al.

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