1
: a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle
2
: a temporary paralysis of muscles from overuse compare writer's cramp
3
a
: sharp abdominal pain
—usually used in plural
b
: persistent and often intense though dull lower abdominal pain associated with dysmenorrhea
—usually used in plural
cramped; cramping; cramps
: to be affected with cramps
1
: hard to understand or figure out
cramp law terms
cramp handwriting
2
: being cramped
a cramp corner
Synonyms
Examples of cramp in a Sentence
Noun (1)
I was suddenly awakened by a cramp in my leg
Noun (2)
an antismoking ordinance that was seen as just another cramp on business by bar owners
Verb
Writing for such a long time may cramp your hand.
His leg was cramping so badly he could hardly move it.
The new regulations may cramp the company's financial growth.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
But a few strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Nov. 2024
Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
There was no privacy, the barracks were cramped, and the food was often literally sickening.
—Jake Whitney, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
But on July 9 in Hungary, in her final race before the Olympics, Jackson pulled up with a calf cramp.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for cramp 
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Noun
Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
But a few strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
People with sensitive stomachs or digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, for instance, may find that overconsumption of blueberries will give them stomach pain, constipation or cramping.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
There was no privacy, the barracks were cramped, and the food was often literally sickening.
—Jake Whitney, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
However, supplements like magnesium and vitamin D may alleviate leg cramp pain.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
But on July 9 in Hungary, in her final race before the Olympics, Jackson pulled up with a calf cramp.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for cramp
Dictionary Entries Near cramp
Cite this Entry
“Cramp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cramp. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
cramp
1 of 2 noun1
: a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle
a cramp in the leg
2
: a temporary paralysis of muscles from overuse see writer's cramp
3
a
: sharp abdominal pain
—usually used in plural
b
: persistent and often intense though dull lower abdominal pain associated with dysmenorrhea
—usually used in plural
cramp
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to affect with or as if with a cramp or cramps
gout cramping his limbs
: to suffer from cramps
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