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
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 Apr. 2026
Seriously, unclip four clamps, and the tent is ready to go.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 20 Mar. 2026
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Using long tongs, carefully add each tortilla to the oil, gently clamping closed for a moment to help the shell set.
—Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clamp
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Noun
Secure each piece in place with a clamp.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 Apr. 2026
Seriously, unclip four clamps, and the tent is ready to go.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
The same gloved hand that had reached through the broken window clamped around her calf.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Using long tongs, carefully add each tortilla to the oil, gently clamping closed for a moment to help the shell set.
—Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clamp
Cite this Entry
“Clamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamp. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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
