clamor

play

noun clam·or \ˈkla-mər\

Definition of clamor

1a : noisy shouting a clamor of children at playb : 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.

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

First Known Use: 14th century

clamor

verb clam·or

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

Origin and Etymology of clamor

see ¹clamor

First Known Use: 14th century

clamor

verb clam·or

Definition of clamor

obsolete

transitive verb
: silence

Origin and Etymology of clamor

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1611

CLAMOR Defined for English Language Learners

clamor

play

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

play

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.