tamp

1 of 2

verb

ˈtamp 

tamped; tamping; tamps

transitive verb

1

: to drive in or down by a succession of light or medium blows

tamp wet concrete

2

: to put a check on : reduce, lessen

tamp down rumors

tamp

2 of 2

noun

plural tamps

: a tool for tamping : tamper entry 2

Fill the form half full with fresh, undisturbed snow, firmly packing it down using the cutout can bottom as a tamp; tamp around the inside edges as you go.

—James Boone

Examples of tamp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While Cruz signaled his potential to run, Rubio has sought to tamp down speculation but did not completely rule out a run. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Johnston’s campaign will strive to qualify for the matching grants provided in the city’s Fair Election Fund, which requires a candidate to lower their contribution limits to tamp down on the influence of high-dollar donations. — Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

Because the temperature difference between the two air masses fuels the updrafts that cause storms, this mixing tamps down storm activity. — Damien Pine, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026

Flush area with isopropyl alcohol, and tamp. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably back-formation from obsolete tampion, tampin plug, from Middle English, from Middle French tapon, tampon, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German zapho tap — more at tap entry 3

First Known Use

Verb

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tamp

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

Kids Definition

tamp

verb

ˈtamp

1

: to drive in or down by a series of blows

2

: to put a check on : lessen

tamp down rumors

tamper noun