camp

[ kamp ]

/ kæmp /

Save This Word!

noun

a place where an army or other group of persons or an individual is lodged in a tent or tents or other temporary means of shelter.

such tents or shelters collectively: The regiment transported its camp in trucks.

the persons so sheltered: The camp slept through the storm.

the act of camping out: Camp is far more pleasant in summer than in winter.

any temporary structure, as a tent or cabin, used on an outing or vacation.

a group of troops, workers, etc., camping and moving together.

army life.

a group of people favoring the same ideals, doctrines, etc.: Most American voters are divided into two camps, Republicans and Democrats.

any position in which ideals, doctrines, etc., are strongly entrenched: After considering the other side's argument, he changed camps.

a recreation area in the country, equipped with extensive facilities for sports.

day camp.

summer camp.

verb (used without object)

to establish or pitch a camp: The army camped in the valley.

to live temporarily in or as if in a camp or outdoors, usually for recreation (often followed by out): They camped by the stream for a week.

to reside or lodge somewhere temporarily or irregularly, especially in an apartment, room, etc.: They camped in our apartment whenever they came to town.

to settle down securely and comfortably; become ensconced: The kids camped on our porch until the rain stopped.

to take up a position stubbornly: They camped in front of the president's office.

verb (used with object)

to put or station (troops) in a camp; shelter.

Digital Technology. (in a video game)

to hunt or search for (an enemy or item) by maintaining a position where it is known to spawn: There were a couple of us camping a notorious monster for rare dropped items.
to hide or take cover in (a relatively safe play area), often as part of an ambush strategy for attacking other characters: Camp a choke point like the bridge, or just hide in the bushes with a sniper rifle and you’ll be the last man standing.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of camp

First recorded in 1520–30; from Middle French can, camp, originally dialect (Normandy, Picardy) or from Old Provençal, from Italian campo, from Latin campus “field, battlefield”; compare Old English campe, compe “battle, battlefield” (cognate with German Kampf “struggle”), from Germanic, from Latin

Words nearby camp

Camorra, Camorrista, camote, camouflage, camouflet, camp, Campagna, campaign, campaign button, campaign chest, campaign finance reform

Other definitions for camp (2 of 4)

camp²

[ kamp ]

/ kæmp /

noun

something that provides irreverent or knowing amusement, as by virtue of its being theatrically stylized and extravagantly artificial, self-consciously artless, or ironically ingenuous.

a person who adopts a teasing, theatrical manner, especially for the amusement of others.

verb (used without object)

Also camp it up . to speak or behave in a coquettishly playful or extravagantly theatrical manner.

adjective

campy: camp Hollywood musicals of the 1940s.

Origin of camp

First recorded in 1865–70 as campish; spelling camp dates to 1905–10; of uncertain origin; perhaps from French se camper “to pose, portray oneself”; perhaps dialectal camp “impetuous, uncouth person,” hence, “slightly objectionable, effeminate, gay”; in some senses probably special use of camp¹ (in the sense “army camp”), where “camp followers,” a euphemism for prostitutes, were notorious for licentiousness

Other definitions for camp (3 of 4)

Camp

[ kamp ]

/ kæmp /

noun

Walter Chaun·cey

[chawn-see, chahn-], /ˈtʃɔn si, ˈtʃɑn-/, 1859–1925, U.S. football coach and author.

Other definitions for camp (4 of 4)

cAMP

[ kamp ]

/ kæmp /

noun Biochemistry.

cyclic AMP.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use camp in a sentence

Wherever you go, the Talon will help turn your car camping site into a true base camp.
Three Family-Friendly Adventures to Try This Fall|Outside Editors|September 17, 2020|Outside Online
In backcountry areas where bruins and other animals want your food, hanging it in a tree downwind of camp will keep it out of reach and reduce nighttime animal prowlers around your tent.
This essential survival tool can save your life 10 different ways|By Tim MacWelch/Outdoor Life|September 15, 2020|Popular-Science
Overall, athletes had successful camps in 46 of the 82 cases, for a hit rate of 56 percent.
Why Altitude Training Helps Some but Not Others|Alex Hutchinson|September 11, 2020|Outside Online
This summer, consumer financial services company Synchrony introduced Synchrony summer camps, virtual summer camp experiences for 3,700 children of employees.
The best back-to-school benefits companies are offering their employees|ehinchliffe|September 10, 2020|Fortune

At the beginning of camp, students often reported that struggling with math was a sign you weren’t doing well.
A secret of science: Mistakes boost understanding|Rachel Kehoe|September 10, 2020|Science News For Students
Pitchfork called him a “a rap-obsessed misfit from a summer camp who freestyles poorly” who is “ridiculous without knowing it.”
The Cult of Yung Lean: ‘I’m Building An Anarchistic Society From the Ground Up’|Marlow Stern|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Within a concentration camp, would someone make a joke about the number, the tattooed number?
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination|Mindy Farabee|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For now, Sabrine continues her daily routine of visits to the protest camp, to political leaders and taking care of the twins.
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda|Ruth Michaelson|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the summer of 2014, they both were sentenced to 4-1/2 years in a labor camp.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The prison camp island nation known as Cuba erupted in celebration.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro|Doug McIntyre|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"A camp-fire would hardly flash and die out like that, Sarge," he answered thoughtfully.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
In the most perfect stillness, we arrived within two hundred paces of the enemy's camp.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
The camp grew still, except for the rough and ready cook pottering about the fire, boiling buffalo-meat and mixing biscuit-dough.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Meanwhile, he had been selected as aide-de-camp by General d'Ure de Molans.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Thus the whole State became one vast armed camp, nearly forty thousand men on a side, arrayed against each other.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn

British Dictionary definitions for camp (1 of 3)

camp¹

/ (kæmp) /

noun

a place where tents, cabins, or other temporary structures are erected for the use of military troops, for training soldiers, etc

the military life

tents, cabins, etc, used as temporary lodgings by a group of travellers, holiday-makers, Scouts, etc

the group of people living in such lodgings

Southern African a field or paddock fenced off as pasture

a group supporting a given doctrine or theorythe socialist camp

Australian a place where sheep or cattle gather to rest

(modifier) suitable for use in temporary quarters, on holiday, etc, esp by being portable and easy to set upa camp bed; a camp chair

verb

(intr often foll by down) to establish or set up a camp

(intr often foll by out) to live temporarily in or as if in a tent

(tr) to put in a camp

Derived forms of camp

camping, noun

Word Origin for camp

C16: from Old French, ultimately from Latin campus field

British Dictionary definitions for camp (2 of 3)

camp²

/ (kæmp) informal /

adjective

effeminate; affected in mannerisms, dress, etc

homosexual

consciously artificial, exaggerated, vulgar, or mannered; self-parodying, esp when in dubious taste

verb

(tr) to perform or invest with a camp quality

camp it up

to seek to focus attention on oneself by making an ostentatious display, overacting, etc
to flaunt one's homosexuality

noun

a camp quality, style, etc

Word Origin for camp

C20: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for camp (3 of 3)

Camp

/ (kæmp) /

noun

Walter (Chauncey). 1859–1925, US sportsman and administrator; he introduced new rules to American football, which distinguished it from rugby.

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with camp

camp

In addition to the idioms beginning with camp

camp follower
camp it up
camp out

also see:

break camp
foot in both camps
happy camper

camp

Origin of camp

Words nearby camp

Other definitions for camp (2 of 4)

Origin of camp

Other definitions for camp (3 of 4)

Other definitions for camp (4 of 4)

Words related to camp

How to use camp in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for camp (1 of 3)

Derived forms of camp

Word Origin for camp

British Dictionary definitions for camp (2 of 3)

Word Origin for camp

British Dictionary definitions for camp (3 of 3)

Other Idioms and Phrases with camp