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DictionarycrampMuscle contraction
noun / verb

cramp

KRAMP/kræmp/

A tightening that restricts movement.

An athlete pauses during a run and gently grips a cramped calf.

White adult athlete pauses during a run and gently grips a cramped calf, non-graphic.
Etymology
crampOld Frenchmuscle spasm

Old French crampe already named a painful muscle contraction. Its Germanic relatives include words for “bent” or “crooked,” connecting the spasm with the image of involuntary tightening.

In context

Calvary Chapel Chino Valley23:38
when that happened I got a cramp in my leg oh that hurts I got a cramp in my leg and I'm not the best swimmer
Jonah 2-3 "Jonah's Second Chance"

More examples

  • My hand cramps when I hold the pen too tightly.
  • The low ceiling cramps our movements.
  • A metal cramp holds the stone blocks together.

Forms

cramp · cramps · cramped · cramping

Similar words

spasm
An involuntary muscle contraction that is not necessarily painful.
restrict
Means limit movement or freedom without necessarily involving tightness.
clamp
The usual general term for a device that grips objects.