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clamp1

Pronunciation: /klamp/
Translate clamp | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of clamp

noun

  • 1a brace, band, or clasp for strengthening or holding things together: I have fixed the motor to the table with two clamps
  • short for wheel clamp.
  • 2an electric circuit which serves to maintain the voltage limits of a signal at prescribed levels.

verb

  • 1 [with object and adverbial of place] fasten (something) in place with a clamp:the sander is clamped on to the edge of a workbench
  • fasten (two things) firmly together:the two frames are clamped together
  • hold (something) tightly against another thing:Maggie had to clamp a hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing
  • [with object] immobilize (an unlawfully parked car) by fixing a wheel clamp to one of its wheels: he had flown into a rage when he found his car was clamped
  • 2 [with object] maintain the voltage limits of (an electrical signal) at prescribed values.

Phrasal Verbs

clamp down

suppress or prevent something in an oppressive or harsh manner:the authorities have also clamped down on public demonstrations

Derivatives

clamper

noun

Origin:

Middle English: probably of Dutch or Low German origin and related to clam

clamp in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of clamp in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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