Definition of cramp
(Entry 1 of 4)
1
: a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle
2
: a temporary paralysis of muscles from overuse — compare writer's cramp
3a
: 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
noun (2)Definition of cramp (Entry 2 of 4)
cramp
verb
cramped; cramping; cramps
Definition of cramp (Entry 3 of 4)
1
: to affect with or as if with a cramp or cramps
b
: to restrain from free expression
—used especially in the phrase cramp one's style My mother wasn't one to do much cooking. It cramped her style.— Lonnée Hamilton
3
: to fasten or hold with a cramp
: to be affected with cramps
cramp
adjectiveDefinition of cramp (Entry 4 of 4)
1
: hard to understand or figure out
cramp law terms cramp handwriting
2
: being cramped
a cramp corner
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for cramp
The first known use of cramp was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century