cramp
noun · verb
Simple meaning
A painful and involuntary muscular contraction.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
krampIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈkɹæmp
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.
noun
A painful and involuntary muscular contraction
A painful contraction of a muscle which cannot be controlled; (sometimes) a similar pain even without noticeable contraction.
That which confines or contracts.
A piece of wood having a curve corresponding to that of the upper part of the instep, on which the upper leather of a boot is stretched to give it the requisite shape.
verb
intransitiveof a muscle
To contract painfully and uncontrollably.
transitivefigurative
To prohibit movement or expression of.
by extension
To bind together; to unite.
Affect with or as if with a cramp
Secure with a cramp
transitive
To restrain to a specific physical position, as if with a cramp.
Word at a Glance
- Frequency
- Uncommon
- Formality
- Technical
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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.
A strip of metal with ends bent at right angles.
Clinical neurological syndrome characterized by muscular twitching and cramps and (when severe) seizures.
Muscular spasms of thumb and forefinger while writing with a pen or pencil.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
Sense: painful and involuntary muscular contraction
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