amp

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
: ampere
2
: amplifier
also : a unit consisting of an electronic amplifier and a loudspeaker

amp

2 of 3

verb

amped; amping; amps

transitive verb

1
informal : to make (someone) more excited or energetic : excite, energize
Players either get amped by the electricity of the event or founder in the ambient chaos.Jon Wertheim
often used with up
When Smith came out to accept her trophy, Bieber smothered her with kisses, and then pumped his fist to amp up the crowd …Melissa Ruggieri
2
: to make (something) more intense : heighten, intensify
The violence is amped by the presence of automatic weapons and gyrating camerawork, but it all feels very familiar.Kevin Crust
usually used with up
The fledgling studio that wound up making the film … knew that it had teenage girls in its pocket, and wisely amped up the action scenes in the trailer in an attempt to snag male viewers as well.Karen Valby
Roasting the pork at a low temperature in a spiced salt mixture amps up the flavor of the meat and makes it extra-tender.Gabrielle Hamilton
3
: to increase the amount of (something) : raise
In this convention year … the stakes have been amped.Charles McGrath
usually used with up
As investors get used to steady returns, they start borrowing to amp up gains … and buying increasingly dubious stuff …Pat Regnier
… the producers always need to amp up the stakes, and, this season, there are a few new twists …Andy Edelstein
see also amped, amped-up
: a nucleotide C10H12N5O3H2PO4 composed of adenosine and one phosphate group that is reversibly convertible to ADP and ATP in metabolic reactions

called also adenosine monophosphate, adenylic acid

compare cyclic amp

Examples of amp in a Sentence

Noun (1) He plugged his guitar into the amp. Verb an important news story that doesn't need to be amped up with sensationalism inflammatory rhetoric that served only to amp up the civil unrest that was overspreading the city
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Frisco Volcano & Dinosaurs Hide & Seek Puzzle Plush Squeaky Dog Toy Frisco Volcano & Dinosaurs Hide & Seek Puzzle Plush Squeaky Dog Toy This interactive dog toy is perfect for stimulating your pup this holiday season. Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024 These 72-volt battery packs can deliver up to 600 amps and 4.3 kWh. New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2024
Verb
The oceans have set new marks, too—last year, a reading off the Florida coast showed a hundred and one degrees Fahrenheit, and pools of that warm water helped amp up hurricanes such as, most recently, Helene and Milton. Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024 Policymakers amp up the anti-vaccine rhetoric, influencing public opinion about their safety and efficacy. Lisa Jarvis, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for amp 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

by shortening

Noun (2)

adenosine monophosphate

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1985, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amp was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near amp

Cite this Entry

“Amp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amp. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

amp

noun
ˈamp
1
: ampere
2

Medical Definition

amp

1 of 2 abbreviation
1
amperage
2
ampere
3
ampule
4
amputation

AMP

2 of 2 noun
: a nucleotide C10H12N5O3H2PO4 that is composed of adenosine and one phosphate group and is reversibly convertible to ADP and ATP in metabolic reactions

called also adenosine monophosphate

compare cyclic amp

More from Merriam-Webster on amp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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