What does tamper mean?
To tamper is to interfere with or change something without permission, often in a way that undermines its safety, integrity, or official status. The phrase “tamper with” is central to the verb: people tamper with locks, machinery, records, packaging, or evidence, usually for harmful, dishonest, or unauthorized purposes. The noun “tamper” denotes an act of such interference, although it also has the rarer sense of a tool used to pack material firmly into place. In technical and commercial contexts, expressions such as “tamper-evident seal” and “tamper-proof packaging” describe protections intended to reveal or prevent unauthorized access. Although “tamper” can sometimes suggest careless tinkering, its usual connotation is deliberate interference that improperly changes or damages something. It is a useful word when describing conduct that bypasses safeguards, alters evidence, or compromises the condition of a system or product.
To interfere with, alter, or manipulate something without authorization or proper permission.
"An employee tampered with the laboratory records before the audit."
Commonly used with “with” and normally implying wrongful or unauthorized interference.
An act of unauthorized interference or manipulation; also, more rarely, a tool used to pack material firmly into a container or opening.
"The broken seal was evidence of a tamper."
The act or process is the dominant modern noun sense; the sense meaning a person or thing that tampers is uncommon.
Usually plural when referring to separate acts or instances of unauthorized interference; the noun is otherwise commonly used in the singular or as an uncountable noun.
"The inspectors documented several tampers with the secured containers."
A seal designed to reveal tampering turns interference itself into evidence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tamper come from?
The word comes through Middle English from Anglo-French “tamper,” although the precise origin of that form is uncertain. The original English uses were associated with meddling or unauthorized interference, with the noun sense developing from the activity named by the verb. Modern specialized senses developed around seals, locks, machinery, evidence, and packaging, where detecting or preventing interference is important.
Related word forms
How tamper is actually used
The verb is usually negative and commonly takes the preposition “with.” It is especially associated with unauthorized interference with locks, machinery, official records, evidence, or sealed packaging. The noun is much less common than the verb in everyday use.
Easily confused with tamper
To tamper is to interfere with something unauthorized, whereas to temper means to moderate or modify something.
To tamp is to pack or compress material, while to tamper is to interfere with or alter something improperly.