noun
tamper
A tool for pressing material firmly down.
The worker uses a tamper to pack down loose gravel.
Etymology
Tamper adds -er to tamp, to pack material by repeated pressure. It names the tool performing that compacting action.
More examples
- She presses the ground coffee evenly with an espresso tamper.
- Use a hand tamper to firm the soil around the post.
- These tampers have flat steel bases and long wooden handles.
Forms
tamper · tampers
tamp verb — To press or pack material firmly down.
Similar words
- rammer
- Usually compacts soil or paving material through repeated heavy blows.
- compactor
- Often names powered equipment rather than a simple hand tool.