plural clampdowns
: an increased effort to make sure that people obey laws and rules
—usually singular
a security clampdown in the city's subway system
—usually + ona clampdown on drug trafficking
a clampdown [=crackdown] on weapons smugglers
Cite this Entry
“Clampdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/clampdown. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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