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
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Apr. 2025
However, clamp mounts have a robust design and are suitable for road and mountain riding.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2025
The speakers themselves have basic spring clip terminals that clamp onto the bare ends of the wire.
—PCMAG, 27 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clamp
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Noun
The light also features a clamp design, which provides even more flexible lighting direction for your seedlings.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Apr. 2025
However, clamp mounts have a robust design and are suitable for road and mountain riding.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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
The speakers themselves have basic spring clip terminals that clamp onto the bare ends of the wire.
—PCMAG, 27 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clamp
Cite this Entry
“Clamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamp. Accessed 30 Apr. 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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