To crimp means to press or pinch something into small folds, waves, or ridges. When you crimp the edges of a pie crust, you press little ridges into the dough with your fingers or a fork so it looks decorative and seals properly. Crimped hair has tight waves or zigzags pressed into it, creating a wavy texture.

The word often suggests creating these folds or bends for a practical purpose. Electricians crimp wires by pressing metal connectors tightly onto them so electricity flows properly. Rock climbers find crimps on a cliff face: tiny edges where they can grip with their fingertips to pull themselves upward.

You can also use crimp to describe something that restricts or limits, like when bad weather puts a crimp in your outdoor plans. If a garden hose gets crimped, it bends sharply and stops water from flowing through.

Crimping always involves some kind of squeezing, pressing, or bending that changes the shape of something, whether you're sealing dumplings, styling hair, or fastening materials together.