From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishclampclamp1 /klæmp/ verb [transitive] 1 [always + adverb/preposition]PUT to put or hold something in a position so that it cannot move She clamped her hands over her ears. Creed opened his mouth to speak, then clamped it shut.2 → clamp sanctions/restrictions etc on somebody3 [always + adverb/preposition] to hold two things together using a clamp Clamp the two parts together until the glue dries.4 (also wheel-clamp) British English to put a clamp on the wheel of a car so that the car cannot be driven away. This is usually done because the car is illegally parked SYN boot American English He returned, only to discover his car had been clamped.Grammar Clamp is usually passive in this meaning. → clamp down→ See Verb table
TDa piece of equipment for holding things together2 TTC (also wheel clamp) British English a metal object that is fastened to the wheel of a car so that the car cannot be driven away. This is usually done because the car is illegally parked SYN boot American English
Examples from the Corpus
clamp• Leaks from Clinton's team suggest Democrats may clamp down on the massive amounts executives can earn.• As she did so, a rusty trap sprang shut, clamping her left foot.• He clamped his mouth shut, agitated.• The resident here has clamped his opponent and is lifting him away from the tunnel entrance.• Then a large warm hand clamped over her own fumbling fingers and gently removed them so that he could work the latch.• But as she reached the door, one hand on the door-handle, suddenly an iron band clamped round her arm.• The impulse to shout can be inhibited by clamping the upper chest so that breathing becomes shallow and energy is dampened.clampclamp2 noun [countable] 1 TDa piece of equipment for holding things together2 TTC (also wheel clamp) British English a metal object that is fastened to the wheel of a car so that the car cannot be driven away. This is usually done because the car is illegally parked SYN boot American EnglishExamples from the Corpus
clamp• Miguel had a clamp in the glove compartment.• This can usually be accomplished from ground level with a variety of hooks, shovels and clamps attached to long poles.• You will also find them useful for other jobs that need a small locking clamp.• It was stacked with the usual assortment of crates and containers, impregnable behind an ingenious array of clamps and locks.• A web clamp is useful for holding frames together while the glue sets.Origin clamp2 (1400-1500) Probably from an unrecorded Middle Dutch klampe 