clamp
[noun]
Synonyms:
- vice, bracket, fastener, grip, press
[verb]
Synonyms:
- fasten, brace, fix, make fast, secure

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. clamp¹ /klæmp/ verb [transitive]

1. [always + adverb/preposition] 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 somebody to put limits on what someone is allowed to do:
The President clamped sanctions on the island after the bomb attack.

3. [always + adverb/preposition] to hold two things together using a clamp:
Clamp the two parts together until the glue dries.

4. [usually passive] (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 Synonym : boot American English:
He returned, only to discover his car had been clamped.
clamp down phrasal verb
to take firm action to stop a particular type of crime ⇒ clampdown
clamp down on
The police are clamping down on drink-driving offenders.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. clamp² noun [countable]
[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: Probably from an unrecorded Middle Dutch klampe]

1. a piece of equipment for holding things together

2. (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 Synonym : boot American English

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

III. ˈwheel clamp (also clamp) noun [countable]
a metal object that is fastened to the wheel of an illegally parked car so that it cannot be driven away Synonym : denver boot American English
—wheel-clamp verb [transitive]

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

clamp
verb
ADV. firmly, tight/tightly | together Clamp the pieces of wood together while the glue sets.
PREP. around/round She clamped her arms around him.
on/onto He clamped his hand firmly onto Jack's shoulder.
over A large hand clamped over her mouth.
to The dog's jaws werwe clamped to his leg.
PHRASES clamped between your teeth He had a large cigar clamped between his teeth.
clamp shut His mouth clamped shut.
PHRASAL VERBS clamp down
ADV. hard
PREP. on to clamp down hard on bullying

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲