Definition of camp
1 a : a place usually away from urban areas where tents or simple buildings (as cabins) are erected for shelter or for temporary residence (as for laborers, prisoners, or vacationers) <migrant labor camp> b : a group of tents, cabins, or huts <fishing camps along the river> c : a settlement newly sprung up in a lumbering or mining region d : a place usually in the country for recreation or instruction often during the summer <goes to camp every July>; also : a program offering access to recreational or educational facilities for a limited period of time <computer camp> <a resort offering boating and hiking camps> e : a preseason training session for athletes <the star pitcher injured in camp this spring>
2 a : a body of persons encamped b (1) : a group of persons; especially : a group engaged in promoting or defending a theory, doctrine, position, or person (2) : an ideological position
3 : military service or life
Related to camp
Origin of camp
Middle French, probably from Middle French dialect (Picard) or Old Occitan, from Latin campus plain, field
First Known Use: 1528
camp
Definition of camp
intransitive verb
1 : to make camp or occupy a camp
2 : to live temporarily in a camp or outdoors —often used with out
3 : to take up one's quarters : lodge
4 : to take up one's position : settle down —often used with out <camp out in the library for the afternoon>
transitive verb
: to put into a camp; also : accommodate
1543
First Known Use of camp
1543
camp
Definition of camp
1 : exaggerated effeminate mannerisms exhibited especially by homosexuals
2 a : something so outrageously artificial, affected, inappropriate, or out-of-date as to be considered amusing b : a style or mode of personal or creative expression that is absurdly exaggerated and often fuses elements of high and popular culture <a movie that celebrates camp>
Origin of camp
origin unknown
First Known Use: circa 1909
camp
Definition of camp
: of, relating to, being, or displaying camp <camp send-ups of the songs of the fifties and sixties — John Elsom>
1909
First Known Use of camp
1909
camp
Definition of camp
intransitive verb
: to engage in camp : exhibit the qualities of camp <he … was camping, hands on hips, with a quick eye to notice every man who passed by — R. M. McAlmon>
1925
First Known Use of camp
1925
CAMP Defined for Kids
Definition of camp for Students
1 : a place where temporary shelters are erected <The hikers set up camp for the night.>
2 : a place or program for recreation or instruction usually during the summer
Definition of camp for Students
campedcamping
1 : to make or occupy a camp <The travelers camped under a large tree.>
2 : to sleep outdoors usually in a tent <We camped out overnight.>
Learn More about camp
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "camp" Medical Dictionary: Definition of "camp" Spanish Central: Translation of "camp" Nglish: Translation of "camp" for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of "camp" for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "camp"
Seen and Heard
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