verb
Uncommon
cram
kram
Cram (verb) means to force or squeeze something into a tight space. Example: “He crammed all his clothes into one small suitcase.”
verb
1
To force or squeeze something into a tight space.
"He crammed all his clothes into one small suitcase."
"The subway car was crammed with commuters."
2
To study intensively in a short period, usually right before an exam.
"She stayed up all night cramming for her chemistry final."
"Cramming the night before rarely works as well as studying steadily."
How to use cram
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pack something in tightly, or to study hard and fast right before a test.
Memory tip
If you hear a student say they're "cramming," they mean last-minute intensive studying.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
cram for an exam
cram into a bag
cram session
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Word forms
- Plural
- crams
- Third person singular
- crams
- Past tense
- crammed
Etymology
From Old English crammian ("to stuff, cram"), from a Germanic root meaning to press or squeeze together.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cram
See all rhymes for cram →Frequently asked questions
What does “cram” mean?
The word “cram” means to force or squeeze something into a tight space. In plain terms, to pack something in tightly, or to study hard and fast right before a test.
How do you pronounce “cram”?
“Cram” is pronounced kram (/kɹæm/ in IPA).
How do you use “cram” in a sentence?
Here is “cram” used in a sentence: “He crammed all his clothes into one small suitcase.”
What part of speech is “cram”?
“Cram” is a verb.
Where does the word “cram” come from?
The word “cram” comes from Old English. From Old English crammian ("to stuff, cram"), from a Germanic root meaning to press or squeeze together.
Is “cram” a common word?
“Cram” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cram” have?
“Cram” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to force or squeeze something into a tight space.
