take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly

his knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel

(of an emotion or situation) have a strong or adverse effect on

she was gripped by a feeling of excitement

the country was gripped by recession

a firm hold; a tight grasp

his arm was held in a vice-like grip

the icy grip of winter

effective control over something

he had to take a grip on his nerves

a part or attachment by which something is held in the hand

handlebar grips

a travelling bag

a grip crammed with new clothes

a stagehand in a theatre