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

People may develop severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea that is often bloody. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026

The Eagles credited their stamina in their 41 to 14 victory to drinking pickle juice, which helped prevent dehydration and muscle cramps. —Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026

Verb

Hahn writes that the Tidal Basin is cramped, overly popular with tourists and others who come to take photos, and sometimes flooded. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026

The urgency element, combined with thin profit margins, long hours and generally hot, cramped working environments with fire and knives can create dangerous situations. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

Adjective

This might feel like a dull ache, cramp, sharp sting, or pain that travels down your leg. —Beth Krietsch, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026

Zverev exploded in anger believing that Alcaraz was suffering only from cramp, and so should not have received a full timeout. —Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 30 Jan. 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