damping

American  

[dam-ping] / ˈdæm pɪŋ /

noun

Physics.

1. a decreasing of the amplitude of an electrical or mechanical wave.

2. an energy-absorbing mechanism or resistance circuit causing this decrease.

3. a reduction in the amplitude of an oscillation or vibration as a result of energy being dissipated as heat.

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damping British  

/ ˈdæmpɪŋ /

noun

1. moistening or wetting

2. stifling, as of spirits

3. electronics the introduction of resistance into a resonant circuit with the result that the sharpness of response at the peak of a frequency is reduced

4. engineering any method of dispersing energy in a vibrating system

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damping Scientific  

/ dăm′pĭng /

1. The action of a substance or of an element in a mechanical or electrical device that gradually reduces the degree of oscillation, vibration, or signal intensity, or prevents it from increasing. For example, sound-proofing technology dampens the oscillations of sound waves. Built-in damping is a crucial design element in technology that involves the creation of oscillations and vibrations.

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Etymology

Origin of damping

First recorded in 1750-60; damp ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Some in the market also worry that big Japanese life insurers and pension funds will decide that yields are sufficiently attractive at home, damping their appetite for bonds issued in the U.S. and Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Core inflation is likely to trough in the near term and rise gradually over 2026 as some of the factors damping inflation fade, the Monetary Authority of Singapore said Tuesday.

From The Wall Street Journal

That is damping bets that there will be another rate increase this year, though consumer inflation has stayed well above the BOJ’s 2% target this year, bolstering the case for tighter monetary policy.

From The Wall Street Journal

It succeeded, at the very least, in damping down the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union enough that it never escalated into civilization-ending apocalypse.

From Salon

The fire has now been extinguished and firefighters are damping down remaining hotspots.

From BBC