1
: a device designed to bind or constrict or to press two or more parts together so as to hold them firmly
2
: any of various instruments or appliances having parts brought together for holding or compressing something
clamped; clamping; clamps
1
: to fasten with or as if with a clamp
clamp two boards together
2
a
: to place by decree : impose
—often used with on
clamped on a curfew after the riots
b
: to hold tightly
Synonyms
Examples of clamp in a Sentence
Verb
The surgeon clamped the vein.
He clamped the two pieces of wood together.
The bit was clamped firmly between the horse's teeth.
He clamped his mouth shut and refused to speak.
Recent Examples on the Web
Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023
Hold the material in place with small clamps or clothespins.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023
Videos of lab tests conducted by the NTSB released Friday show that the lock ring securing the two parts of the actuator can disengage when the clamp nut at the top is tightened.
—Dominic Gates, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2023
Use a caliper compression tool, shown here, or a C clamp to retract the piston.
—Jeff Dengate, Popular Mechanics, 14 Aug. 2023
If the hold-down clamp is not tightened properly, the battery could move, allowing the positive terminal to contact the clamp and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire, the company said.
—CBS News, 1 Nov. 2023
Along with the saw, blade, and blade wrench, this product also includes a dust bag and clamp.
—Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2023
Eventually, Toyota dealers will replace the fuel tube with an improved part and additional clamps at no cost to customers.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2023
Unlike some other clamps, this one doesn’t cause slippage or tugging.
—Enjanae' Taylor, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023
Lee Powell, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
The Apex has a skewer here, which is used to clamp the axle in place.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 Nov. 2023
This handy, little phone stand clamps your phone vertically or horizontally and can be mounted on everything from your tray table to your luggage handle for hands-free viewing anywhere, anytime.
—Jen Ator, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2023
The following year, video footage emerged showing a white bus driver from the district clamping the bus doors shut on the backpack of a biracial student and dragging him for more than a hundred and fifty feet.
—James Ross Gardner, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2023
Near the roots of a 1-inch section of hair, clamp the curling iron down, then wrap strands around the barrel away from your face.
—April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, 8 Sep. 2023
The most prominent feature of both species, though, is their snapper, as common snapping turtles can chomp with a bite force of 209 Newtons on average, while alligator snappers clamp their jaws with an average of 158 Newtons of force.
—Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023
The stranger gave up as Certain clamped his mouth shut, resisting.
—Jeremy Redmon, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023
Others clamp them together or put the heart and lungs in a jar.
—Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 7 Oct. 2023
See More
Noun
Although it's designed for strollers, the adjustable rotating clamp also mounts to suitcase handles.
—Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023
Hold the material in place with small clamps or clothespins.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023
Videos of lab tests conducted by the NTSB released Friday show that the lock ring securing the two parts of the actuator can disengage when the clamp nut at the top is tightened.
—Dominic Gates, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2023
Use a caliper compression tool, shown here, or a C clamp to retract the piston.
—Jeff Dengate, Popular Mechanics, 14 Aug. 2023
If the hold-down clamp is not tightened properly, the battery could move, allowing the positive terminal to contact the clamp and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire, the company said.
—CBS News, 1 Nov. 2023
Along with the saw, blade, and blade wrench, this product also includes a dust bag and clamp.
—Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2023
Eventually, Toyota dealers will replace the fuel tube with an improved part and additional clamps at no cost to customers.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2023
Unlike some other clamps, this one doesn’t cause slippage or tugging.
—Enjanae' Taylor, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023
Verb
With the stuffing at the center and the masa surrounding it, the portions shoot through a metal tunnel with a little pneumatic puff of noise and into a plastic barrier casing, the ends tied off and clamped.
—Lee Powell, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
The Apex has a skewer here, which is used to clamp the axle in place.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 Nov. 2023
This handy, little phone stand clamps your phone vertically or horizontally and can be mounted on everything from your tray table to your luggage handle for hands-free viewing anywhere, anytime.
—Jen Ator, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2023
The following year, video footage emerged showing a white bus driver from the district clamping the bus doors shut on the backpack of a biracial student and dragging him for more than a hundred and fifty feet.
—James Ross Gardner, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2023
Near the roots of a 1-inch section of hair, clamp the curling iron down, then wrap strands around the barrel away from your face.
—April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, 8 Sep. 2023
The most prominent feature of both species, though, is their snapper, as common snapping turtles can chomp with a bite force of 209 Newtons on average, while alligator snappers clamp their jaws with an average of 158 Newtons of force.
—Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023
The stranger gave up as Certain clamped his mouth shut, resisting.
—Jeremy Redmon, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023
Others clamp them together or put the heart and lungs in a jar.
—Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 7 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clamp.' 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
Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch *klampe; akin to Old English clamm bond, fetter — more at clam
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of clamp was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing clamp
Dictionary Entries Near clamp
Cite this Entry
“Clamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamp. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
clamp
1 of 2 noun
: a device that holds or presses parts together firmly
clamp
2 of 2 verb
: to fasten or tighten with or as if with a clamp
Medical Definition
clamp
1 of 2 noun
: any of various instruments or appliances having parts brought together for holding or compressing something
especially
: an instrument used to hold, compress, or crush vessels and hollow organs and to aid in surgical excision of parts
an arterial clamp
clamp
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to fasten with or as if with a clamp
the descending thoracic aorta was clamped—W. A. Banks et al.
W. A. Banks et al.
More from Merriam-Webster on clamp
Nglish: Translation of clamp for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of clamp for Arabic Speakers
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