cramp

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

Synonyms of cramp

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

Examples of cramp in a Sentence

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

Cerúndolo reeled in Svajda, but the American, cramping in the middle part of the match, was not to be denied. —James Hansen, New York Times, 30 May 2026

Peterson, in an interview with ESPN in April, blamed creatine for the cramping issues that hindered him all season. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026

Synthetic fabrics can feel sticky and uncomfortable on long travel days, while breathable, natural fibers tend to wear better in cramped cabins and changing temperatures. —Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2026

Failing to Declutter First Trying to overhaul your current storage system while the garage is cramped with clutter (which also minimizes the value of your home) is unproductive. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing cramp

• brain cramp
• 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