Tamp

/tamp/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a tool or device used for tamping.

The barista grabbed the tamp to compress the espresso grounds before brewing.

verb

to pack down or compress (something) by gently tapping or pushing.

She used a wooden stick to tamp down the coffee grounds in the filter.

to fill a hole or cavity with earth or other material in order to make it solid.

The workers needed to tamp the soil around the post to ensure it would not move.

to drive down or pack closely together.

He tamped the snow down to make a solid base for the snowman.

Derived from the Middle English word 'tampe', meaning to pack down.

tamp down

To suppress or reduce something, such as feelings or intensity.

tamp the soil

To compact the soil for stability.

compress

To reduce in size by pressing or squeezing.

pack

To fill a container tightly with items.

To fill something up quickly.

He just tamped his backpack full before heading out.