clasp

American  

[klasp, klahsp] / klæsp, klɑsp /

noun

1. a device, usually of metal, for fastening together two or more things or parts of the same thing.

   a clasp for paper money; a clasp on a necklace.

   Synonyms:

   catch, hook, clip, pin, brooch

2. a firm grasp or grip.

   a clasp of hands.

3. a tight embrace.

   She held the child in a loving clasp.

   Synonyms:

   hug

4. a small bar or metal design, as a star, for affixing to the ribbon of a military decoration to indicate that the bearer has been awarded the decoration an additional time.

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verb (used with object)

clasped, claspt, clasping

1. to fasten with or as with a clasp.

2. to furnish with a clasp.

3. to seize, grasp, or grip with the hand.

   She clasped the club in her hand.

4. to hold in a tight embrace; hug.

   He clasped the child to him.

verb (used without object)

clasped, claspt, clasping

1. to embrace or hug.

   The lovers clasped.

clasp British  

/ klɑːsp /

noun

1. a fastening, such as a catch or hook, used for holding things together

2. a firm grasp, hold, or embrace

3. military a bar or insignia on a medal ribbon, to indicate either a second award or the battle, campaign, or reason for its award

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verb

1. to hold in a firm grasp

2. to grasp firmly with the hand

3. to fasten together with or as if with a clasp

Other Word Forms

• clasper noun
• interclasp verb (used with object)
• reclasp verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of clasp

1275–1325; Middle English clasp (noun), claspen (v.), perhaps blend of clippen clip ² and haspe hasp

Explanation

A bracelet is held together by a clasp. A girl who gets a nice one from her boyfriend might clasp her arms around him. A clasp is a fastener. To clasp is to hold tightly. In all uses of the word, clasp means to hold together tightly. You want your bracelet or belt clasp to be strong so it doesn't come apart. And when you take a child on a walk across a busy intersection, you clasp their hand tightly. The word is not related to the word clap, but if you clap your hands together, then keep them there, you turn a clap to a clasp.

Example Sentences

The tension between Altman and Amodei seemed to surface last week, when they were the only ones who didn’t clasp hands onstage during a group pose at an AI event in India.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

The medal was recovered, but she gave up trying to find the clasp that had failed to keep it connected to the ribbon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

The best thing to do is to crouch face-down, bend the legs underneath the torso and clasp both hands behind the neck, Nakae said.

From Barron's • Nov. 8, 2025

But Pegula's clasp of her head after they blew an 8-4 lead in the first-to-10 match tie-break summed up their bitter disappointment at missing a shot for the trophy.

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2025

The cape looks store-bought and expensive, as it has a silver clasp and the material is much heavier than what might be used to make a cheap Halloween costume.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick

Related Words

• clamp
• clutch
• fasten
• grasp