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

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

Salmonella Symptoms Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, according to the CDC. —Matt Cannon, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025

Vibrio is a bacterium that naturally lives in coastal waters, causing fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2025

Verb

My shoulders had cramped up so tight that my body was shaking. —C. Mallon, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025

Digestive discomfort: In some individuals, overconsumption can cause digestive issues like diarrhea, stomach cramping, or heartburn. —Roxana Ehsani, Health, 12 June 2025

Adjective

The Rockies initially thought Goodman was dealing with a leg cramp, but manager Warren Schaeffer said that Goodman has hamstring tightness. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 27 June 2025

Think breathable layers, supportive sneakers, compression socks that actually work and a travel pillow that won’t leave you with a neck cramp. —Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

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)

15th century, 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