cramp

¹ American  

[kramp] / kræmp /

noun

1. Often cramps

   1. a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, especially of the extremities, sometimes with severe pain.

   2. a piercing pain in the abdomen.

   3. 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. writer's cramp.

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verb (used with object)

1. to affect with or as if with a cramp.

cramp ² American  

[kramp] / kræmp /

noun

1. cramp iron.

2. 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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to fasten or hold with a cramp.

2. to confine narrowly; restrict; restrain; hamper.

3. to turn (the front wheels of a motor vehicle) by means of the steering gear; steer.

adjective

1. cramped.

idioms

1. cramp one's style, to prevent one from showing one's best abilities.

cramp ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to secure or hold with a cramp

2. to confine, hamper, or restrict

3. informal to prevent a person from using his abilities or acting freely and confidently

cramp ² British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• crampingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of cramp¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English crampe, from Old French, from Germanic; cognate with Middle Dutch crampe, Old Saxon krampo, Old High German krampfo; derivative of an adjective meaning “narrow, constrained, bent”; compare Old High German krampf, Old Norse krappr; akin to crimp ¹

Origin of cramp²

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English crampe, crompe, from Middle Dutch; see cramp ¹

Explanation

When a muscle in your body tenses up painfully, it's a cramp. If you get a cramp in your leg when you're swimming, you have to stop and stretch out the muscle until the cramp goes away. Muscle cramps are a side effect of exercise and fatigue, and they can often be avoided by stretching before and after a run or a game of basketball. Cramp is also a verb, meaning both "contract painfully," and also "hold back, or prevent free movement." This is what you mean when you say, "Mom, please don't walk me in to school — you'll cramp my style."

Example Sentences

However, if they claim to have an injury but the physiotherapist or doctor decides they have cramp, they will be told by the chair umpire to immediately resume playing.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

The Spaniard only narrowly avoided crashing out after a huge fright at 4-4 in the third set when he pulled up in pain with what appeared to be cramp.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

The 21-year-old, who lashed in United's second goal from the edge of the box, limped off in the closing stages of the match with what interim head coach Michael Carrick hoped was cramp.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2026

Draping himself in ice towels during the changeovers, he suffered a fright in the third set with severe cramp that needed treatment.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

Eventually she was brought back to her normal state of mind by a cramp in her right ankle, which was resting awkwardly in the crook of the fork.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• ache
• constipation
• contraction
• convulsion
• pain
• stiffness
• twinge