cramp

UK: /ˈkræmp/ US: /kræmp/ ,(kramp)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

cramp¹ /kræmp/   n. 

1. Pathology Often, cramps.[plural] a sudden and uncontrolled spasm of a muscle, as in a limb or bodily organ:
   had cramps in his stomach.

v. 

2. Pathology to (cause to) feel a cramp: [no object]
   My muscles cramp at the slightest bit of cold.
   [~ + — object]
   The cold cramped my leg muscles.

cramp² /kræmp/   v. [~ + object]

1. to restrict or hamper:
   I was cramped in the tiny room with a small desk and computer.

Idioms

2. Idioms cramp one's style, to prevent one from showing one's best abilities:
   She cramped my style with her constant interruptions.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cramp¹  (kramp), n. 

1. Pathology Often, cramps. 
   • a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, esp. 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.
2. Pathology See writer's cramp. 

v.t. 

3. Pathology to affect with or as if with a cramp.

• Gmc; cognate with Middle Dutch crampe, Old Saxon krampo, Old High German krampfo; derivative of adjective, adjectival meaning narrow, constrained, bent; compare Old High German krampf, Old Norse krappr; akin to crimp
• Old French
• Middle English crampe 1325–75

cramp²  (kramp), n. 

1. Building See cramp iron. 
2. Building a portable frame or tool with a movable part that can be screwed up to hold things together;
   clamp.
3. anything that confines or restrains.
4. a cramped state or part.

v.t. 

5. to fasten or hold with a cramp.
6. to confine narrowly;
   restrict;
   restrain;
   hamper.
7. Automotive to turn (the front wheels of a motor vehicle) by means of the steering gear;
   steer.
8. cramp one's style, [Informal.] to prevent one from showing one's best abilities.

adj. 

9. cramped².

• Middle Dutch: hook. See cramp¹
• late Middle English crampe 1375–1425

cramp′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cramp / kræmp/ noun

1. a painful involuntary contraction of a muscle, typically caused by overexertion, heat, or chill
2. temporary partial paralysis of a muscle group: writer's cramp
3. (usually plural in the US and Canada) severe abdominal pain

verb

1. (transitive) to affect with or as if with a cramp

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French crampe, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German krampho

cramp / kræmp/ noun

1. Also called: cramp iron a strip of metal with its ends bent at right angles, used to bind masonry
2. a device for holding pieces of wood while they are glued; clamp
3. something that confines or restricts
4. a confined state or position

verb (transitive)

1. to secure or hold with a cramp
2. to confine, hamper, or restrict
3. cramp someone's style ⇒ to prevent a person from using his or her abilities or acting freely and confidently

Etymology: 15th Century: from Middle Dutch crampe cramp, hook, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German khramph bent; see cramp¹