cramp

[ kramp ]

/ kræmp /

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See synonyms for: cramp / cramped / cramper / crampest on Thesaurus.com

noun

Often cramps .

a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, especially of the extremities, sometimes with severe pain.
a piercing pain in the abdomen.
an intermittent, painful contraction of structures of a wall containing involuntary muscle, as in biliary colic or in the uterine contractions of menstruation or of labor.

writer's cramp.

verb (used with object)

to affect with or as if with a cramp.

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Origin of cramp

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English crampe, from Old French, from Germanic; cognate with Middle Dutch crampe, Old Saxon krampo, Old High German krampfo; derivative of an adjective meaning “narrow, constrained, bent”; compare Old High German krampf, Old Norse krappr; akin to crimp¹

Other definitions for cramp (2 of 2)

cramp²

[ kramp ]

/ kræmp /

noun

cramp iron.

a portable frame or tool with a movable part that can be screwed up to hold things together; clamp.

anything that confines or restrains.

a cramped state or part.

verb (used with object)

to fasten or hold with a cramp.

to confine narrowly; restrict; restrain; hamper.

to turn (the front wheels of a motor vehicle) by means of the steering gear; steer.

adjective

cramped².

Origin of cramp

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English crampe, crompe, from Middle Dutch; see cramp¹

OTHER WORDS FROM cramp

cramp·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use cramp in a sentence

This setup worked well for our family of three but would be cramped with four, as one of the kids would have to sleep down below with the parents.
Sprinter vs. Teardrop Trailer: What's Best for Camping?|Will Taylor|November 28, 2020|Outside Online
Of course, you don’t want something that is going to weigh you down or make your neck cramp up and that is pretty easy to avoid.
Best wireless headphones: Five things to consider|Carsen Joenk|November 25, 2020|Popular-Science
Then there’s the headaches, cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation.
How The Contraceptive Pill Could Help Female Athletes Stay Cool|LGBTQ-Editor|November 21, 2020|No Straight News
The keyboard itself is a full-sized input device, so it’s ready to handle actual work tasks without cramping your fingers together into a small space.
The $70 Raspberry Pi 400 is a computer crammed into a keyboard|Stan Horaczek|November 4, 2020|Popular-Science

He also needs two different medications for Type 2 diabetes, including insulin at $300 a bottle, a blood pressure drug and a muscle relaxer to relieve leg cramps.
A $200 debit card won’t put a dent in seniors’ drug costs|lbelanger225|October 30, 2020|Fortune
The cramping muscle should be carefully stretched and massaged to relieve pain.
A Lesson From LeBron James’ Game One Nightmare|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pay attention to signs from your body—if you feel slight cramping or light-headedness, take a break.
A Lesson From LeBron James’ Game One Nightmare|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After cramping up, James likely received immediate access to world-class medical attention.
A Lesson From LeBron James’ Game One Nightmare|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
From a medical perspective, the exact cause of muscle cramping remains poorly understood.
A Lesson From LeBron James’ Game One Nightmare|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They expected about 15 people, but blamed Friday-night traffic in the sprawling city for cramping the size.
At Bars Nationwide, Conservatives Raise a Glass to Andrew Breitbart|Ben Jacobs, Laura Isensee|March 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But they have tied their credit system in the bonds of narrow banking laws and their trade in those of a cramping tariff.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
In others the cramping may be the first symptom, the others following it.
An Epitome of Homeopathic Healing Art|B. L. Hill
For the cramping, Cuprum and Veratrum are the remedies to be given alternately.
An Epitome of Homeopathic Healing Art|B. L. Hill
A malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic.
The Devil's Dictionary|Ambrose Bierce
One allows oneself to be nervous, and to be angry, and to be bound by conventions that are useless and cramping.
The Angel of Pain|E. F. Benson

British Dictionary definitions for cramp (1 of 2)

cramp¹

/ (kræmp) /

noun

a painful involuntary contraction of a muscle, typically caused by overexertion, heat, or chill

temporary partial paralysis of a muscle groupwriter's cramp

(usually plural in the US and Canada) severe abdominal pain

verb

(tr) to affect with or as if with a cramp

Word Origin for cramp

C14: from Old French crampe, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German krampho

British Dictionary definitions for cramp (2 of 2)

cramp²

/ (kræmp) /

noun

Also called: cramp iron a strip of metal with its ends bent at right angles, used to bind masonry

a device for holding pieces of wood while they are glued; clamp

something that confines or restricts

a confined state or position

verb (tr)

to secure or hold with a cramp

to confine, hamper, or restrict

cramp someone's style informal to prevent a person from using his abilities or acting freely and confidently

Word Origin for cramp

C15: from Middle Dutch crampe cramp, hook, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German khramph bent; see cramp 1

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

Medical definitions for cramp

cramp

[ krămp ]

A sudden, involuntary, spasmodic muscular contraction causing severe pain, often occurring in the leg or shoulder as the result of strain or chill.

A temporary partial paralysis of habitually or excessively used muscles.

cramps Spasmodic contractions of the uterus, such as those occurring during menstruation or labor, usually causing pain in the abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs.

To affect with or experience a cramp or cramps.

cramp

Origin of cramp

Other definitions for cramp (2 of 2)

Origin of cramp

OTHER WORDS FROM cramp

Words related to cramp

How to use cramp in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cramp (1 of 2)

Word Origin for cramp

British Dictionary definitions for cramp (2 of 2)

Word Origin for cramp

Medical definitions for cramp