crimp

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈkrimp 

crimped; crimping; crimps

transitive verb

1

: to cause to become wavy, bent, or pinched: such as

a

: to form (leather) into a desired shape

b

: to give (synthetic fibers) a curl or wave like that of natural fibers

c

: to pinch or press together (something, such as the margins of a pie crust) in order to seal

2

: to be an inhibiting or restraining influence on : cramp

sales had been crimped by credit controls

—Time

crimper

ˈkrim-pər 

noun

crimp

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: something produced by or as if by crimping: such as

a

: a section of hair artificially waved or curled

b

: a succession of waves (as in wool fiber)

c

: a bend or crease formed in something

2

: something that cramps or inhibits : restraint, curb

crimp

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a person who entraps or forces men into shipping as sailors or into enlisting in an army or navy

crimp

4 of 4

verb (2)

crimped; crimping; crimps

transitive verb

: to trap into military or sea service : impress

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• crease
• crinkle
• furrow
• wrinkle

Examples of crimp in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a small crimp in the dollar bill prevented it from being accepted by the bill changer

made a tiny little crimp in the corner of the Queen of Spades

the strike could put a real crimp in the production schedule

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Given that the company had been hoping (pdf) to increase its 170 billion seat-miles (one seat flown one mile, occupied or not) by 5%, that’s a big crimp. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024

The owners of Mansion Society in Hawthorne recounted the incident — which put a serious crimp in their ability to serve their regular customers on a busy holiday — in an Instagram post. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 8 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Dutch or Low German krimpen to shrivel; akin to Middle Dutch crampe hook, cramp

Noun (2)

perhaps from crimp entry 1

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1718, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1789, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing crimp

• put a crimp in

Kids Definition

crimp

1 of 2 verb

ˈkrimp 

1

: to make wavy or bent

2

: to pinch or press together

crimp the edges of a pie crust

crimp

2 of 2 noun

1

: something produced by or as if by crimping

2

: something that holds back