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
Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024
Montgomery says just before taking the clamp off the vein.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024
Josh Max, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
They aren’t caused by how healthcare providers cut or clamp the umbilical cord.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clamp 
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Noun
The Thunder are the NBA’s top defensive team and the No. 1 team in the West, but had the clamps put on them by Milwaukee’s defense and struggled shooting.
—Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024
Montgomery says just before taking the clamp off the vein.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
Some drivers choose to weld their converters in place rather than clamping them, but even this isn’t foolproof.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
They aren’t caused by how healthcare providers cut or clamp the umbilical cord.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 12 Oct. 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 24 Dec. 2024.
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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