tamp

1 of 2

verb

tamped; tamping; tamps

transitive verb

1
: to drive in or down by a succession of light or medium blows
tamp wet concrete
2
: to put a check on : reduce, lessen
tamp down rumors

tamp

2 of 2

noun

plural tamps
: a tool for tamping : tamper entry 2
Fill the form half full with fresh, undisturbed snow, firmly packing it down using the cutout can bottom as a tamp; tamp around the inside edges as you go.James Boone

Examples of tamp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The fallout from the Beit Lahia strike is also playing out as the Biden administration tries to tamp down dissent within the Democratic Party over its support of Israel's war in Gaza. Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2024 Trump tamped down an attempt to oust Johnson in May by hard liners in his conference. David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Oct. 2024
Noun
Earlier this year, the lawmaker voiced opposition to the Connect the Grid Act, which sought to connect the Lone Star state's electric grid to surrounding national grids to boost reliability and tamp down on costs. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 27 Aug. 2024 No Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Kansas or Texas Tech on the schedule should help the run defense tamp down, but UCF still has to go on the road to Florida, Iowa State and West Virginia and gets Arizona and Utah at home. Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tamp 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably back-formation from obsolete tampion, tampin plug, from Middle English, from Middle French tapon, tampon, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German zapho tap — more at tap entry 3

First Known Use

Verb

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tamp was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near tamp

Cite this Entry

“Tamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tamp. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tamp

verb
ˈtamp
1
: to drive in or down by a series of blows
2
: to put a check on : lessen
tamp down rumors
tamper noun

More from Merriam-Webster on tamp

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