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clam|our /klæ mə ^r / (clamours , clamouring , clamoured ) in AM, use clamor 1 VERB If people are clamouring for something, they are demanding it in a noisy or angry way. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V + for ] …competing parties clamouring for the attention of the voter. □ [V to-inf] At breakfast next morning my two grandsons were clamouring to go swimming. ● N‑SING Clamour is also a noun. □ [+ for ] …the clamour for his resignation.

2 N‑SING Clamour is used to describe the loud noise of a large group of people talking or shouting together. □  She could hear a clamour in the road outside.

clamp /klæ mp/ (clamps , clamping , clamped )

1 N‑COUNT A clamp is a device that holds two things firmly together.

2 VERB When you clamp one thing to another, you fasten the two things together with a clamp. □ [V n + to ] Somebody forgot to bring along the U-bolts to clamp the microphones to the pole.

3 VERB To clamp something in a particular place means to put it or hold it there firmly and tightly. □ [V n prep] Simon finished dialing and clamped the phone to his ear. □ [V n + together ] He clamped his lips together. □ [V n adj] You beg him to try just one spoonful, and he clamps his mouth shut. □ [V -ed] Peter jumped to his feet with his hand clamped to his neck.

4 N‑COUNT A clamp is a large metal device which is fitted to the wheel of an illegally-parked car or other vehicle in order to prevent it from being driven away. The driver has to pay to have the clamp removed. [BRIT ] in AM, use Denver boot 5 VERB To clamp a car means to fit a clamp to one of its wheels so that it cannot be driven away. [BRIT ] □ [V n] Courts in Scotland have ruled it illegal to clamp a car parked on private ground and then to demand a fine. in AM, use boot ●  clamp|ing N‑UNCOUNT □  The AA called for laws to regulate clamping firms.

▸  clamp down PHRASAL VERB To clamp down on people or activities means to take strong official action to stop or control them. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V P + on ] Police are clamping down on drivers who exceed the speed limit. □ [V P ] Banking regulators failed to clamp down until earlier this month.

clamp|down /klæ mpdaʊn/ (clampdowns ) also clamp-down N‑COUNT A clampdown is a sudden restriction on a particular activity by a government or other authority. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ on ] …a clampdown on the employment of illegal immigrants.

clan /klæ n/ (clans )

1 N‑COUNT A clan is a group which consists of families that are related to each other. □  …rival clans.

2 N‑COUNT You can refer to a group of people with the same interests as a clan . [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a powerful clan of industrialists from Monterrey.

clan|des|tine /klænde st I n/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is clandestine is hidden or kept secret, often because it is illegal. [FORMAL ] □  …their clandestine meetings.

clang /klæ ŋ/ (clangs , clanging , clanged ) VERB When a large metal object clangs , it makes a loud noise. □ [V ] The door clanged shut behind them. ● N‑VAR Clang is also a noun. □  He pulled the gates to with a clang.

clang|er /klæ ŋə ^r / (clangers ) N‑COUNT You can refer to something stupid or embarrassing that someone does or says as a clanger . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] ● PHRASE If you say that you have dropped a clanger , you mean that you have done or said something stupid or embarrassing. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]