kɹæmp kɹæmp ˈspæz.əm ˈstɹæŋɡ(ə)l ˈstɹæŋɡəl suffer from sudden painful contraction of a muscle affect with or as if with a cramp prevent the progress or free movement of He was hampered in his efforts by the bad weather the imperialist nation wanted to strangle the free trade between the two small countries secure with a cramp cramp the wood a strip of metal with ends bent at right angles; used to hold masonry together a clamp for holding pieces of wood together while they are glued a painful and involuntary muscular contraction