clamp
verb · noun
Simple meaning
A device that holds things firmly together.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
klampIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈklæmp
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
Fasten or fix with a clamp
“Clamp the chair together until the glue has hardened.”
transitiveintransitive
To fasten in place or together with (or as if with) a clamp.
transitive
To hold or grip tightly.
transitive
To immobilise (a vehicle) by means of a wheel clamp.
transitive
To modify (a numeric value) so it lies within a specific range by replacing values outside the range with the closest value within the range.
noun
A device (generally used by carpenters) that holds things firmly together
A brace, band, or clasp for strengthening or holding things that are apart together.
uk
A parking enforcement device used to immobilise a car until it can be towed or a fine is paid; a wheel clamp.
A pile of materials to be heated in a controlled way, stacked or heaped together with fuel so that the fire permeates the pile; the material of interest may be bricks to be fired, ore for roasting, coal for coking, or wood to be charcoalized.
A piece of wood (batten) across the grain of a board end to keep it flat, as in a breadboard.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B2 · Upper Intermediate (estimated)
- Frequency
- Moderately Common
- Typical Use
- Neutral / general English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Word Aura is being prepared for this meaning.
More ways to use clamp
- “Clamp the chair together until the glue has hardened.”verb
- “The military government clamped a curfew onto the capital.”verb
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
Repress or suppress (something regarded as undesirable).
A clamp used to hold work in place on a workbench.
A clamp for holding pipe that is to be cut or threaded.
A clamp in the shape of the letter C.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.