amp

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
: ampere
2
: amplifier
also : a unit consisting of an electronic amplifier and a loudspeaker

amp

2 of 3

verb

amped; amping; amps

transitive verb

1
informal : to make (someone) more excited or energetic : excite, energize
Players either get amped by the electricity of the event or founder in the ambient chaos.Jon Wertheim
often used with up
When Smith came out to accept her trophy, Bieber smothered her with kisses, and then pumped his fist to amp up the crowd …Melissa Ruggieri
2
: to make (something) more intense : heighten, intensify
The violence is amped by the presence of automatic weapons and gyrating camerawork, but it all feels very familiar.Kevin Crust
usually used with up
The fledgling studio that wound up making the film … knew that it had teenage girls in its pocket, and wisely amped up the action scenes in the trailer in an attempt to snag male viewers as well.Karen Valby
Roasting the pork at a low temperature in a spiced salt mixture amps up the flavor of the meat and makes it extra-tender.Gabrielle Hamilton
3
: to increase the amount of (something) : raise
In this convention year … the stakes have been amped.Charles McGrath
usually used with up
As investors get used to steady returns, they start borrowing to amp up gains … and buying increasingly dubious stuff …Pat Regnier
… the producers always need to amp up the stakes, and, this season, there are a few new twists …Andy Edelstein
see also amped, amped-up
: a nucleotide C10H12N5O3H2PO4 composed of adenosine and one phosphate group that is reversibly convertible to ADP and ATP in metabolic reactions

called also adenosine monophosphate, adenylic acid

compare cyclic amp

Examples of amp in a Sentence

Noun (1) He plugged his guitar into the amp.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Upon plugging it in, nothing but static came from the amp connected to Gay’s Squier Stratocaster. Spin Contributor, SPIN, 28 Feb. 2024 But Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool need little more than their amps turned up to 11 to invigorate a crowd. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 The loop is getting a full electric upgrade and every site will have its own power pedestal with 30 or 50 amps. Detroit Free Press, 21 Feb. 2024 After that, Timony turned her amp up to 11 in the bands Wild Flag, Ex Hex and Hammered Hulls. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 Each person wrote their name on a piece of masking tape, and put it inside the amp. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Feb. 2024 An impressive collection of Mark Knopfler’s guitars and amps went under the hammer this week, raking in more than £8.8 million ($11 million) – a chunk of which goes to charity. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 2 Feb. 2024 The Line 6 Helix series set the standard for amp modeling, but the HX Stomp still often costs over $500 used. Spin Contributor, SPIN, 1 Feb. 2024 This twist on pigs in a blanket amps up the flavor factor by wrapping buttery puff pastry around kielbasa, then topping the results with bacon and crispy cheese. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2024
Verb
Daniela Melchior, who takes the Kelly Lynch role (the local physician who falls for Dalton), amps up the tough-nut romanticism. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 Izzo has continued to amp up his own intensity as well. Detroit Free Press, 11 Jan. 2024 The mom of one wore a crisp white button-down with a long black skirt, but left her shirt slightly undone to amp up the sexiness of the outfit. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024 As Hart puts it, your heart rate and breathing rate will then amp up to supply your body with the oxygen to complete that extra work. Jenny McCoy, SELF, 20 Feb. 2024 To amp up the diner-menu factor, top with dill pickles and your other favorite burger toppings. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Feb. 2024 If he’s ridden a wave of popularity after his LVMH Prize, his turn at Pitti will surely amp up the attention. José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2024 Countless articles provide prompts and advice on how to amp up the banter on dating apps. Sonia Weiser, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024 Layer it with a long sleeve underneath to amp up the warmth and add dimension to your look. Jessica Copeland, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amp.' 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 (1)

by shortening

Noun (2)

adenosine monophosphate

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1985, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amp was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near amp

Cite this Entry

“Amp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amp. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

amp

noun
ˈamp
1
: ampere
2

Medical Definition

amp

1 of 2 abbreviation
1
amperage
2
ampere
3
ampule
4
amputation

AMP

2 of 2 noun
: a nucleotide C10H12N5O3H2PO4 that is composed of adenosine and one phosphate group and is reversibly convertible to ADP and ATP in metabolic reactions

called also adenosine monophosphate

compare cyclic amp

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