clutch meaning and definition

CLUTCH noun

Definition of clutch (noun)

1. the act of grasping
   • "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold on the railing"
   • synonyms: clasp, clench, clutches, grasp, grip, hold
2. a tense critical situation
   • "he is a good man in the clutch"
3. a number of birds hatched at the same time
4. a collection of things or persons to be handled together
   • synonyms: batch
5. a woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand
   • synonyms: clutch bag
6. a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism
   • "he smoothely released the clutch with one foot and stepped on the gas with the other"
   • synonyms: clutch pedal
7. a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
   • "this year's model has an improved clutch"

CLUTCH verb

Definition of clutch (verb)

1. take hold of; grab
   • "The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter"; "She clutched her purse"; "The mother seized her child by the arm"; "Birds of prey often seize small mammals"
   • synonyms: prehend, seize
2. hold firmly, usually with one's hands
   • "She clutched my arm when she got scared"
   • synonyms: cling to, hold close, hold tight
3. affect
   • "Fear seized the prisoners"; "The patient was seized with unbearable pains"; "He was seized with a dreadful disease"
   • synonyms: get hold of, seize