clampdown

1 of 2

noun

clamp·​down ˈklamp-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce clampdown (audio)
: the act or action of making regulations and restrictions more stringent
a clampdown on charge accounts, bank loans, and other inflationary influencesTime

clamp down

2 of 2

verb

clamped down; clamping down; clamps down

intransitive verb

: to impose restrictions : crack down
the police are clamping down on speeders

Examples of clampdown in a Sentence

Verb the need to clamp down on petty crime in the city
Recent Examples on the Web
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
And few foreign governments have called out Mr. Bukele on his clampdown in May. Nelson Mauricio Rauda Zablah, Christian Science Monitor, 6 June 2025 Money for migrant clampdown but tax breaks and program cuts hit ‘bumps’ Medicaid acts as a first responder in America today. Dr. James W. Cox-Chapman, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2025
Verb
Simply clamp down with the single barrel, using the tool itself to space each wave. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 June 2025 Edmonton forward Adam Henrique scored twice in the opening period, and from there the Oilers clamped down defensively and watched the clock run out. Jesse Granger, New York Times, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for clampdown

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clampdown was in 1938

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clampdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clampdown. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

clamp down

verb
: to act in a strict and forceful manner to stop something
laws clamping down on fraud

More from Merriam-Webster on clampdown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!