clamor

noun clam·or \ ˈkla-mər \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Examples: clamor in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of clamor

1 a : noisy shouting

a clamor of children at play

b : a loud continuous noise

the clamor of the waterfall

2 : insistent public expression (as of support or protest)

the current clamor about what is wrong with our schools

See clamor defined for English-language learners

See clamor defined for kids

Examples of clamor in a Sentence

A clamor outside woke them in the night.
city streets filled with clamor
a public clamor for an arrest in the case
There is growing clamor for reform.

Recent Examples of clamor from the Web

Much of the current clamor for athlete compensation has sprung from the incredible popularity of college football and basketball on television, and the revenues these sports produce.

— william h. noack and don kusler, star-telegram, "Pro-con: Was Condoleezza Rice right in recommending that college athletes not be paid?," 8 June 2018
In a country where a majority of citizens are 30 years old or younger, there has been growing clamor for more inclusion in politics.

— Fox News, "Nigeria's leader to lower age limits for elected officials," 29 May 2018
The number of older employees is climbing as the unemployment rate shrinks and companies in some sectors clamor for workers.

— robert weisman, BostonGlobe.com, "For many high-octane professionals, retirement is not an option," 2 May 2018
But for all his success -- be it the silverware won or the clamor of support back home -- the local hero has never forgotten home.

— george ramsay and christina macfarlane, CNN, "Jerry Tuwai: The rugby captain raised in a one-room home," 17 May 2018
Which is a hallmark of Lee’s filmmaking at its best, how his exuberant need to communicate, lecture, and prod births films erratic in tone but powerful in their clamor and strong sense of purpose.

— richard lawson, HWD, "In Spike Lee’s Invigorating BlacKkKlansman, the Real Joke Is on Us," 14 May 2018
Though some consumers clamor for an entirely online experience, the traditional trek to a dealership is still the easiest route.

— rick popely, chicagotribune.com, "Why you can't buy a car online—for now," 10 May 2017
Occasionally, this electrical clamor reaches a threshold that triggers the firing of neurons.

— dana g. smith, Scientific American, "Sound Awake: “Noisy” Neurons May Repeatedly Disrupt Your Sleep," 1 May 2018
Despite being overshadowed by that other upcoming royal event, the clamor surrounding the birth of the royal baby has ratcheted up in recent weeks.

— the washington post, AL.com, "Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, gives birth to baby boy," 23 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clamor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

The clamor on Broadway at midday can be astonishing to a tourist from a midwestern town; if they happen to be digging up the street with jackhammers, the clamor can be even worse. The clamor on the floor of a stock exchange goes on without stopping for seven hours every day. A clamor of protest may sometimes be quieter, but is often just as hard to ignore. A politican who receives a thousand e-mails a day clamoring for his resignation might as well be listening to an angry crowd.

Origin and Etymology of clamor

Middle English, from Anglo-French clamour, from Latin clamor, from clamare to cry out — more at claim

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

clamor Synonyms

clamor

verb

Definition of clamor

clamored; clamoring play \ˈklam-riŋ, ˈkla-mər-iŋ\

intransitive verb

1 : to make a din (see ¹din 1)

The children clamored around them, singing songs and laughing.

2 : to become loudly insistent

clamored for his impeachment

clamoring for full independence

transitive verb

1 : to utter or proclaim insistently and noisily

cart peddlers clamored their wares
—Walter Farley

2 : to influence by means of clamor

Recent Examples of clamor from the Web

De León jabbed Feinstein for being out of touch with voters and argued Californians are clamoring for change.

— taryn luna, sacbee, "Number two spot in U.S. Senate race up for grabs," 5 June 2018
While friends clamored to play video games, Casey negotiated.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Aztecs' Casey at the bat — and mound — living remarkable baseball life," 30 May 2018
Oh, but don’t forget about National Cabernet Day on August 30th, a traditionally hot day of the year everyone is reeeally clamoring for a highly tannic red.

— marissa a. ross, Bon Appetit, "Ugh, It’s National Wine Day," 25 May 2018
The practice dates back to the medieval times, when tradespeople clamored to earn the royal seal of approval as a way of signaling to the public that their goods and services were — literally — fit for a king or queen.

— refinery29.com, "These Beauty Products Have The Official Royal Seal Of Approval," 18 May 2018
The stronger economy means that businesses are clamoring for workers, and providing workers an opportunity to get the skills to match the openings is crucial.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "The Job Corps Failure," 22 Apr. 2018
But if that punishment was meant to send a message to Assad, its effect has long since worn off — and Washington hawks are clamoring for more.

— ishaan tharoor, Washington Post, "Trump’s real Syria policy is hypocrisy," 9 Apr. 2018
The only problem was, despite the show’s immense fan base, book readers were still clamoring with surprising vigor to see the next two books completed.

— tyler mccarthy, Fox News, "How George R.R. Martin went from revered 'Game of Thrones' author to the literary world's biggest villain," 5 Apr. 2018
On the one hand, many of their constituents are clamoring for meaningful action on education-funding but on the other, they could be squeezed by conservative groups that score lawmakers for their votes on taxes and spending.

— yvonne wingett sanchez, azcentral, "Doug Ducey to sign tax measure — is he violating his pledge to never raise taxes?," 22 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of clamor

see ¹clamor

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

clamor

verb

Definition of clamor

clamored; clamoring; clamors

transitive verb

obsolete

: silence

Origin and Etymology of clamor

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1611

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

CLAMOR Defined for English Language Learners

clamor

noun

Definition of clamor for English Language Learners

: a loud continuous noise (such as the noise made when many people are talking or shouting)
: a loud or strong demand for something by many people

CLAMOR Defined for Kids

clamor

noun clam·or \ ˈkla-mər \

Definition of clamor for Students

1 : a noisy shouting

2 : a loud continuous noise

the clamor of a storm

3 : strong and loud demand

There was a public clamor for change.

Word Root of clamor

The Latin word clamāre, meaning “to shout” or “to cry out,” gives us the root clam and its form claim. Words from the Latin clamāre have something to do with shouting. To exclaim is to cry out in a sudden or emotional way. To proclaim is to announce or shout something publicly. Clamor is noisy shouting.