¹camp

noun, often attributive \ˈkamp\

Definition of CAMP

a : a place usually away from urban areas where tents or simple buildings (as cabins) are erected for shelter or for temporary residence (as for laborers, prisoners, or vacationers) <migrant labor camp>

b : a group of tents, cabins, or huts <fishing camps along the river>

c : a settlement newly sprung up in a lumbering or mining region

d : a place usually in the country for recreation or instruction often during the summer <goes to camp every July>; also : a program offering access to recreational or educational facilities for a limited period of time <computer camp> <a resort offering boating and hiking camps>

e : a preseason training session for athletes <the star pitcher injured in camp this spring>

a : a body of persons encamped

b (1) : a group of persons; especially : a group engaged in promoting or defending a theory, doctrine, position, or person (2) : an ideological position

: military service or life

Origin of CAMP

Middle French, probably from Middle French dialect (Picard) or Old Occitan, from Latin campus plain, field

First Known Use: 1528

Rhymes with CAMP

amp, champ, clamp, cramp, damp, guimpe, lamp, ramp, samp, scamp, stamp, tamp, tramp, vamp

²camp

verb

Definition of CAMP

intransitive verb

: to make camp or occupy a camp

: to live temporarily in a camp or outdoors —often used with out

: to take up one's quarters : lodge

: to take up one's position : settle down —often used with out <camp out in the library for the afternoon>

transitive verb

: to put into a camp; also : accommodate

First Known Use of CAMP

1543

³camp

noun

Definition of CAMP

: exaggerated effeminate mannerisms exhibited especially by homosexuals

a : something so outrageously artificial, affected, inappropriate, or out-of-date as to be considered amusing

b : a style or mode of personal or creative expression that is absurdly exaggerated and often fuses elements of high and popular culture <a movie that celebrates camp>

— camp·i·ly \ˈkam-pə-lē\ adverb

— camp·i·ness \-pē-nəs\ noun

— campy \ˈkam-pē\ adjective

Origin of CAMP

origin unknown

First Known Use: circa 1909

⁴camp

adjective

Definition of CAMP

: of, relating to, being, or displaying camp <camp send-ups of the songs of the fifties and sixties — John Elsom>

First Known Use of CAMP

1909

⁵camp

verb

Definition of CAMP

intransitive verb

: to engage in camp : exhibit the qualities of camp <he … was camping, hands on hips, with a quick eye to notice every man who passed by — R. M. McAlmon>