cramp

play

noun \ ˈkramp \

Definition of cramp

1 :a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle

2 :a temporary paralysis of muscles from overuse — compare writer's cramp

3 a :sharp abdominal pain —usually used in plural

b :persistent and often intense though dull lower abdominal pain associated with dysmenorrhea —usually used in plural

—

crampy

play \ˈkram-pē\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of cramp

Middle English crampe, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch crampe; akin to Old High German krampf bent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

cramp

noun

Definition of cramp

1 a :a usually iron device bent at the ends and used to hold timbers or blocks of stone together

b :clamp

2 a :something that confines :shackle

b :the state of being confined

Origin and Etymology of cramp

Middle English crampe, from Middle Dutch

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

cramp

verb

Definition of cramp

transitive verb

1 :to affect with or as if with a cramp or cramps

2 a :confine, restrain

was cramped in the tiny apartment

b :to restrain from free expression —used especially in the phrase cramp one's style

3 :to fasten or hold with a cramp

intransitive verb

:to be affected with cramps

See cramp defined for English-language learners

Examples of cramp in a Sentence

Writing for such a long time may cramp your hand.
His leg was cramping so badly he could hardly move it.
The new regulations may cramp the company's financial growth.

First Known Use of cramp

15th century

cramp Synonyms

Synonyms

clog, hamper, embarrass, encumber, fetter, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel

Antonyms

aid, assist, facilitate, help

Related Words

balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain; bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie; arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard; barricade, block, blockade, roadblock; bog (down), mire; choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate; baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart; derail, disrupt, sabotage; muzzle, repress, suppress; confine, hedge (in), hem (in)

Near Antonyms

clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop; free, liberate, release, untie; loosen, smooth; encourage, further, promote

cramp

adjective

Definition of cramp

1 :hard to understand or figure out

cramp law terms

cramp handwriting

2 :being cramped

a cramp corner

First Known Use of cramp

1674

CRAMP Defined for English Language Learners

cramp

verb

Definition of cramp for English Language Learners

: to cause (a part of the body) to feel pain because of tight muscles : to cause a cramp in (your hand, foot, etc.)
: to have a sudden painful tightening of muscles : to experience a cramp or cramps
: to prevent (something) from developing or growing freely

CRAMP Defined for Kids

cramp

play

noun \ ˈkramp \

Definition of cramp for Students

1 :a sudden painful tightening of a muscle

2 :sharp pain in the abdomen —usually used in pl.

cramp

verb

Definition of cramp for Students

cramped; cramping

1 :to cause or experience a sudden painful muscular tightening in

My hand was cramping from all the writing.

2 :to hold back from free action or expression :hamper

We were cramped by all the rules.

Medical Dictionary

cramp

play

noun \ ˈkramp \

medical Definition of cramp

1 :a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle

a cramp in the leg

2 :a temporary paralysis of muscles from overuse — see writer's cramp

3 a :sharp abdominal pain —usually used in plural

b :persistent and often intense though dull lower abdominal pain associated with dysmenorrhea —usually used in plural

cramp

transitive verb

medical Definition of cramp

:to affect with or as if with a cramp or cramps

gout cramping his limbs

intransitive verb

:to suffer from cramps

Learn More about cramp

See words that rhyme with cramp Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cramp Spanish Central: Translation of cramp Nglish: Translation of cramp for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cramp for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cramp

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cramp

Definition of cramp

crampy

From the M-W Editors

Origin and Etymology of cramp

Other Medicine Terms

cramp

Definition of cramp

Origin and Etymology of cramp

cramp

Definition of cramp

Examples of cramp in a Sentence

First Known Use of cramp

cramp Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

cramp

Definition of cramp

First Known Use of cramp

CRAMP Defined for English Language Learners

cramp

Definition of cramp for English Language Learners

CRAMP Defined for Kids

cramp

Definition of cramp for Students

cramp

Definition of cramp for Students

Medical Dictionary

cramp

medical Definition of cramp

cramp

medical Definition of cramp

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