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
clamped; clamping; clamps
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
Synonyms
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
Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
To that end, Wim and his dad had to peel off to the tower, in order to restore power to the clamp that was holding the Cinder to the landing pad.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 14 Jan. 2025
Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
In our lab, two testers clamped opposite ends and pulled as far as possible, then checked if the tights returned to their original shape after releasing.
—L.a. Hubilla, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clamp 
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Noun
While the critics may not agree with Kyle's viral Instagram post, experts say leaving the clamps off for safety reasons is a good idea.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
To that end, Wim and his dad had to peel off to the tower, in order to restore power to the clamp that was holding the Cinder to the landing pad.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
His lips, typically clamped in a rigid line, curled into a smile.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
In our lab, two testers clamped opposite ends and pulled as far as possible, then checked if the tights returned to their original shape after releasing.
—L.a. Hubilla, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clamp
Dictionary Entries Near clamp
Cite this Entry
“Clamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamp. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 clamped—W. A. Banks et al.
W. A. Banks et al.Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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