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Definition of clamp verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

clamp

verb
 
/klæmp/
 
/klæmp/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they clamp
 
/klæmp/
 
/klæmp/
he / she / it clamps
 
/klæmps/
 
/klæmps/
past simple clamped
 
/klæmpt/
 
/klæmpt/
past participle clamped
 
/klæmpt/
 
/klæmpt/
-ing form clamping
 
/ˈklæmpɪŋ/
 
/ˈklæmpɪŋ/
Phrasal Verbs
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  1. [transitive] to hold something tightly, or fasten two things together, with a clamp
    • clamp A to B Clamp one end of the plank to the edge of the table.
    • clamp A and B (together) Clamp the two halves together until the glue dries.
    Extra Examples
    • Clamp the pieces of wood together while the glue sets.
    • Parts are clamped in place with a special machine.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • firmly
    • tight
    • tightly
    preposition
    • around
    • round
    • on
    phrases
    • clamped between your teeth
    • clamp shut
    adverb
    • hard
    preposition
    • on
    See full entry
  2. [transitive, intransitive] to hold or fasten something very tightly so that it does not move; to be held tightly
    • clamp something + adv./prep. He had a pen clamped between his teeth.
    • She clamped a pair of headphones over her ears.
    • I clamped a hand on his shoulder.
    • A mobile phone was clamped to her ear.
    • + adv./prep. Her lips clamped tightly together.
    • clamp (something) + adj. He clamped his mouth shut.
    Extra Examples
    • A large hand clamped over her mouth.
    • He clamped his hand firmly onto Jack's shoulder.
    • His mouth clamped shut.
    • She clamped her arms around him.
    • The dog's jaws were clamped to his leg.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • firmly
    • tight
    • tightly
    preposition
    • around
    • round
    • on
    phrases
    • clamped between your teeth
    • clamp shut
    adverb
    • hard
    preposition
    • on
    See full entry
  3. [transitive, usually passive] (British English) to fix a clamp to a car’s wheel so that the car cannot be driven away
    • be clamped Her car had been clamped.
    • She’d been (= her car had been) clamped.
  4. Word OriginMiddle English: probably of Dutch or Low German origin and related to clam.
See clamp in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
trait
noun
 
 
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