1
: a device designed to bind or constrict or to press two or more parts together so as to hold them firmly
2
: any of various instruments or appliances having parts brought together for holding or compressing something
clamped; clamping; clamps
1
: to fasten with or as if with a clamp
clamp two boards together
2
a
: to place by decree : impose
—often used with on
clamped on a curfew after the riots
b
: to hold tightly
Examples of clamp in a Sentence
Verb
The surgeon clamped the vein.
He clamped the two pieces of wood together.
The bit was clamped firmly between the horse's teeth.
He clamped his mouth shut and refused to speak.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The surgical technologist stands beside the surgeon in the operating room and prepares to hand over any one of hundreds of instruments, such as clamps and surgical scissors.
—Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
As a result, the object is reportedly held steadily and securely in place, with the clamping pressure distributed evenly across its surface at multiple points.
—New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clamp
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Noun
Other types of clipboards may include a dry-erase clipboard, a mini clipboard, a folding clipboard design, one with an interior clamp or many other configurations.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The surgical technologist stands beside the surgeon in the operating room and prepares to hand over any one of hundreds of instruments, such as clamps and surgical scissors.
—Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
Their strong clamping force and uncomfortable fit don't help.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
As a result, the object is reportedly held steadily and securely in place, with the clamping pressure distributed evenly across its surface at multiple points.
—New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clamp
Cite this Entry
“Clamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamp. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clamp
1 of 2 noun
: a device that holds or presses parts together firmly
clamp
2 of 2 verb
: to fasten or tighten with or as if with a clamp
Medical Definition
clamp
1 of 2 noun
: any of various instruments or appliances having parts brought together for holding or compressing something
especially
: an instrument used to hold, compress, or crush vessels and hollow organs and to aid in surgical excision of parts
an arterial clamp
clamp
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to fasten with or as if with a clamp
the descending thoracic aorta was clamped—W. A. Banks et al.
W. A. Banks et al.Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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