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
Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
The signature bezel-lock system, historically a visible clamp secured by the crown, is now discreetly integrated underneath the ceramic bezel.
—Matthew Catellier, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Catherine Musemeche, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
Begin by clamping at the root and work your way down the hair shaft in one-to-two-inch sections, holding each for just a few seconds, to achieve the look.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clamp
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Noun
With six customizable heat settings, a hair-securing clamp that prevents creases and an auto-shutoff feature, this iron is a must-have for any beauty enthusiast.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
The signature bezel-lock system, historically a visible clamp secured by the crown, is now discreetly integrated underneath the ceramic bezel.
—Matthew Catellier, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
Stimson worked quickly, cutting across the tissue of the thigh and clamping bleeding vessels along the way.
—Catherine Musemeche, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
Begin by clamping at the root and work your way down the hair shaft in one-to-two-inch sections, holding each for just a few seconds, to achieve the look.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 Jan. 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 20 May. 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
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