CLAMP

[verb] [T]If you clamp one thing to another, you fasten them together using a clamp.Clamp the two pieces of wood together for 15 minutes. [M]If you clamp something in a particular place, you hold it there tightly.He clamped his hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming. [T]A heavy iron chain was clamped around his wrists and he was led off by one of the prison guards.(figurative) The UN has clamped (= put) economic sanctions on the country. [T](esp. UK) If a car is clamped, a metal device is fixed to the wheel of it by the police or another person in authority, usually because it is parked illegally. The device is usually only removed when the owner pays an amount of money.She was amazed to find that her car had been clamped after she had left it to go shopping for just 15 minutes.See also wheel clamp at wheel (ROUND OBJECT).If you clamp down on something, you act to stop or limit it.The government is clamping down on teenage drinking.The Treasury has clamped down on public expenditure.