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
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
PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
That clamp plays an important role in securing the base to the pan.
—Molly Allen, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
When an aneurysm bursts, Moore said, clamping or coiling — filling the bubble with wire — are effective treatments.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clamp
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Of the three pairs, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are the most comfortable despite not being the lightest, thanks to their low clamp force and thick padding.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
That clamp plays an important role in securing the base to the pan.
—Molly Allen, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
The crocodile was seen swimming with the dead canine clamped between its jaws on Monday, per WESH.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
When an aneurysm bursts, Moore said, clamping or coiling — filling the bubble with wire — are effective treatments.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clamp
Cite this Entry
“Clamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamp. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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.Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share