cramp

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈkramp 

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

ˈkram-pē 

adjective

cramp

2 of 4

noun (2)

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

cramp

3 of 4

verb

cramped; cramping; cramps

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

My mother wasn't one to do much cooking. It cramped her style.

—Lonnée Hamilton

3

: to fasten or hold with a cramp

intransitive verb

: to be affected with cramps

cramp

4 of 4

adjective

1

: hard to understand or figure out

cramp law terms

cramp handwriting

2

: being cramped

a cramp corner

Synonyms of cramp

Noun (1)

• stitch
• contraction
• spasm
• kink

Noun (2)

• obstacle
• hurdle
• embarrassment
• obstruction
• interference
• barrier
• let

Verb

• impede
• hinder
• hamper
• embarrass
• obstruct
• handicap

Examples of cramp in a Sentence

Noun (1)

I was suddenly awakened by a cramp in my leg

Noun (2)

an antismoking ordinance that was seen as just another cramp on business by bar owners

Verb

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cyclosporiasis has been sickening thousands of people across the country, particularly in Michigan, recently with an intestinal illness causing explosive diarrhea with severe stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, and unintended weight loss. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

As body temperature rises and humidity limits the body’s ability to cool itself, mild symptoms such as cramps and headaches can progress to shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and ultimately life-threatening heat stroke. — Laura Schifter, Time, 17 July 2026

Verb

Symptoms usually start two to five days after exposure and can include cramping, a fever and diarrhea that may be bloody. — Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Numerous reviewers praised the detail for preventing that cramped, pinchy feeling that’s otherwise so typical at the end of a long day. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Adjective

Achraf Hakimi stretched cramp out of his leg and was helped to his feet by Declan Rice. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 30 May 2026

Swanson exited the game after the inning with a left glute cramp after Buehler stranded him at third base to keep the Padres’ deficit manageable at 2-0. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Middle English crampe, from Middle Dutch

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cramp

• brain cramp
• cramp one's style
• writer's cramp

Rhymes for cramp

• amp
• champ
• clamp
• damp
• gamp
• lamp
• ramp
• samp
• scamp
• stamp
• tamp
• tramp

Kids Definition

cramp

1 of 2 noun

ˈkramp 

1

: a sudden painful involuntary tightening of muscle

2

: sharp pain in the abdomen

—usually used in plural

crampy

ˈkram-pē 

adjective

cramp

2 of 2 verb

1

: to affect with or as if with cramps

2

a

: to hold back from free movement : confine

felt cramped in the tiny room

b

: to hold back from free action or expression : hamper

—used especially in the phrase cramp one's style

Medical Definition

cramp

1 of 2 noun

ˈkramp 

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

2 of 2 transitive verb

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

gout cramping his limbs

intransitive verb

: to suffer from cramps