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to tamp

to tamp

14 7.0
To press or pack something down tightly
  • verb
  • /tæmp/
translation icon : apisonar
  • When I tried to tamp it down, it curled up as soon as I took my foot away.

Examples

  • When filling the hole, remember to tamp the gravel down firmly for stability.

  • When the burial was complete, we waited while the grave was filled in and tamped down.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • And then we just pop it down in the hole, tamp it in like that.

  • And yet we learn how to tamp that down.

  • So I'm just going to make sure to tamp soil and really tight around it.

  • "Two dollars a hole; I'll dig 'em three feet deep and tamp in the posts."

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Just tamp down the fervour.

  • Olivia was putting petunias into red clay pots, tamping down the dirt while she trilled, "I-i-i-t's summertime!"

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Gently tamp the soil around the plant to eliminate air pockets.

  • Before sealing the jar, make sure to tamp the vegetables tightly to avoid spoilage.

Synonyms

to pack
vsto tamp
278 2.3

To press things together so they take less space

specifically refers to pressing down tightly rather than general cramming
to stuff
vsto tamp
243 2.0

To fill something tightly with things

means pressing down tightly rather than merely filling or blocking space
to compress
vsto tamp
94 3.7

To press something so it takes less space

focuses on packing down tightly rather than only shrinking volume
to press down
vsto tamp
18 2.5

To push something down with force to make it flat or close it

is used to pack down tightly rather than to push downward
to compact
vsto tamp
11 4.4

To press something so it becomes smaller and takes less space

emphasizes active packing down tightly rather than resulting density alone
to pack together
vsto tamp
2 3.0

To press things so they fit more tightly together

is used to press down tightly into a space rather than just bring parts closer
to tamp down
vsto tamp
1 5.3

Press something down firmly to make it more compact

is the shorter base form without the extra particle
to wad
vsto tamp
1 6.3

To push people or things tightly into a small space

focuses on packing down tightly rather than forming a separate rolled mass

Antonyms

88 1.0

Make something less tight so it can move or open

Phrasal Verbs

5 5.7

Reduce the strength of feelings or public anger

1 5.3

Press something down firmly to make it more compact

How Firmly

to ram
1 4.1
to tamp
14 7.0
to pack
23 4.5

Surface Forms

tamp infinitive
tamped past
tamped past participle
tamping present participle
tamps third person singular

Etymology

Tamp as a verb comes from the same French root tampon, meaning 'plug', and gives a clear picture: you push something down as if fitting a plug into a hole. So, to tamp is to press or pack something tightly down.