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
cramped; cramping; cramps
: to be affected with cramps
1
: hard to understand or figure out
cramp law terms
cramp handwriting
2
: being cramped
a cramp corner
Synonyms
Examples of cramp in a Sentence
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
Paige Stables, Allure, 16 Nov. 2023
Hotel pillows can be unpredictable, so save yourself the neck cramps by bringing your own.
—Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2023
Currie said that hotness lasts for three hours, and leads to stomach cramps that stay for another four.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2023
At one time, quinine was sold over the counter for cramps.
—Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon, oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2023
On top of this – doing the right exercises during particular menstrual cycle phases can ease period cramps and improve overall well-being.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 Aug. 2023
Appetite loss may result from other side effects like cramps.
7.
—Leah Rocketto, Health, 2 Nov. 2023
While annoying or even painful, these cramps are usually not dangerous for you or your baby and tend to come and go quickly.
—Parents Editors, Parents, 17 Oct. 2023
There are several forms of inflammatory bowel diseases that can impact different parts of the digestive system in various ways, but some common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, rectal bleeding, weight loss and mild to intense abdominal pain or cramps after eating.
—Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2023
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2023
That’s a step too far for most tenets cramped in Trump’s new small-tent GOP.
—Matt Laslo, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
The shaft is on the traditional side with its 12-inch, calf-grazing length, but its 2.5-inch heel makes for the perfect fashion shoe without cramping your arches due to an uncomfortable height.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 9 Oct. 2023
She’s been hit with hot flashes and cold spells, headaches, and cramping, which is tough to train through.
—Christine Yu, SELF, 4 Oct. 2023
Electrolytes such as calcium and salt are essential for maintaining proper muscle function and preventing cramping during exercise.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023
As the game wore on, both defense and midfield units tightened up and several players on each side battled cramping.
—Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 12 Sep. 2023
Postpartum infections Some postpartum cramping could be a sign of infection.
—Devan McGuinness, Parents, 3 Sep. 2023
Aboard cramped private trawlers, the monitors record the health of fish and of the sea.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2023
Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
But staying proved a choice costly to his 4-year-old son, Maksym, who was struck by shrapnel and now has nerve problems that cause his legs to cramp.
—Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Oct. 2023
Amid criticism over the Angels’ handling of Ohtani’s health, general manager Perry Minasian told reporters Aug. 26 that the team offered to conduct imaging after Ohtani experienced a finger cramp earlier in the month, but the two-way star declined.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023
Minasian suggested the Angels were proactive, offering to do imaging exams after Ohtani reported a finger cramp on Aug. 3.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2023
On a night when Aledo’s defense was bypassed for 434 yards while he was largely hindered by a cramp, linebacker Davhon Keys found a way to leave his imprint on both sides of the ball.
—Greg McKenna, Dallas News, 2 Sep. 2023
Minasian suggested the Angels were proactive, offering to do imaging exams after Ohtani reported a finger cramp on Aug. 3 against the Seattle Mariners.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023
Jansen finishes despite cramp Cora and a member of the training staff checked on Kenley Jansen during the ninth inning.
—Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2023
All that led the Food and Drug Administration to ban its use in over-the-counter cramp remedies in 1994.
—Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon, oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2023
See More
Noun
My body wasn’t used to the cramps and the drastic hormonal differences.
—Paige Stables, Allure, 16 Nov. 2023
Hotel pillows can be unpredictable, so save yourself the neck cramps by bringing your own.
—Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2023
Currie said that hotness lasts for three hours, and leads to stomach cramps that stay for another four.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2023
At one time, quinine was sold over the counter for cramps.
—Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon, oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2023
On top of this – doing the right exercises during particular menstrual cycle phases can ease period cramps and improve overall well-being.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 Aug. 2023
Appetite loss may result from other side effects like cramps.
7.
—Leah Rocketto, Health, 2 Nov. 2023
While annoying or even painful, these cramps are usually not dangerous for you or your baby and tend to come and go quickly.
—Parents Editors, Parents, 17 Oct. 2023
There are several forms of inflammatory bowel diseases that can impact different parts of the digestive system in various ways, but some common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, rectal bleeding, weight loss and mild to intense abdominal pain or cramps after eating.
—Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2023
Verb
One thing to remember: Dragon fruit is high in fiber, which can lead to gas, bloating, or cramping if eaten in too large quantities.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2023
That’s a step too far for most tenets cramped in Trump’s new small-tent GOP.
—Matt Laslo, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
The shaft is on the traditional side with its 12-inch, calf-grazing length, but its 2.5-inch heel makes for the perfect fashion shoe without cramping your arches due to an uncomfortable height.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 9 Oct. 2023
She’s been hit with hot flashes and cold spells, headaches, and cramping, which is tough to train through.
—Christine Yu, SELF, 4 Oct. 2023
Electrolytes such as calcium and salt are essential for maintaining proper muscle function and preventing cramping during exercise.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023
As the game wore on, both defense and midfield units tightened up and several players on each side battled cramping.
—Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 12 Sep. 2023
Postpartum infections Some postpartum cramping could be a sign of infection.
—Devan McGuinness, Parents, 3 Sep. 2023
Aboard cramped private trawlers, the monitors record the health of fish and of the sea.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Ohtani prematurely departed from an early August start because of a finger cramp.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
But staying proved a choice costly to his 4-year-old son, Maksym, who was struck by shrapnel and now has nerve problems that cause his legs to cramp.
—Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Oct. 2023
Amid criticism over the Angels’ handling of Ohtani’s health, general manager Perry Minasian told reporters Aug. 26 that the team offered to conduct imaging after Ohtani experienced a finger cramp earlier in the month, but the two-way star declined.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023
Minasian suggested the Angels were proactive, offering to do imaging exams after Ohtani reported a finger cramp on Aug. 3.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2023
On a night when Aledo’s defense was bypassed for 434 yards while he was largely hindered by a cramp, linebacker Davhon Keys found a way to leave his imprint on both sides of the ball.
—Greg McKenna, Dallas News, 2 Sep. 2023
Minasian suggested the Angels were proactive, offering to do imaging exams after Ohtani reported a finger cramp on Aug. 3 against the Seattle Mariners.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023
Jansen finishes despite cramp Cora and a member of the training staff checked on Kenley Jansen during the ninth inning.
—Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2023
All that led the Food and Drug Administration to ban its use in over-the-counter cramp remedies in 1994.
—Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon, oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cramp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of cramp was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing cramp
Dictionary Entries Near cramp
Cite this Entry
“Cramp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cramp. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
Medical Definition
cramp
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
: to suffer from cramps
More from Merriam-Webster on 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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