tamp

[ tamp ]

verb (used with object)

1. to force in or down by repeated, rather light, strokes:

   He tamped the tobacco in his pipe.

2. (in blasting) to fill (a drilled hole) with earth or the like after the charge has been inserted.

tamp

¹

/ tæmp /

verb

1. to force or pack down firmly by repeated blows
2. to pack sand, earth, etc into (a drill hole) over an explosive

tamp

²

/ tæmp /

verb

1. tr to bounce (a ball)
2. intrusually foll bydown to pour with rain

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamp¹

First recorded in 1810–20; perhaps alteration of tampion

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamp¹

C17: probably a back formation from tampin (obsolete variant of tampion ), which was taken as being a present participle tamping

Origin of tamp²

probably special use of tamp ¹

Example Sentences

California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed legislation allowing regulators to require the state’s fuel refiners to store more fuel in an effort to tamp down spikes in the cost of gas.

From Los Angeles Times

Harris too tried to tamp down the criticism.

From Los Angeles Times

The law also attempts to tamp down future drug price increases by limiting increases to the consumer price inflation rate, which was 3.4% in 2023.

From Los Angeles Times

“It does not tamp down the rhetoric that we’re all facing in this election cycle. It accomplishes nothing positive and amounts to, in my estimation, voting interference and intimidation.”

From Salon

Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said that more uniformed officers helped tamp down crime during the summer months, but it hasn’t been enough.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bind
• cram
• crowd
• lade
• load
• pile
• squeeze
• stuff
• throng