dam

¹

[dam]

noun

1. a barrier to obstruct the flow of water, especially one of earth, masonry, etc., built across a stream or river.

2. a body of water confined by a dam.

3. any barrier resembling a dam.

verb (used with object)

dammed, damming 

1. to furnish with a dam; obstruct or confine with a dam.

2. to stop up; block up.

   Synonyms: choke, check, clog, impede

dam

²

[dam]

noun

1. a female parent (used especially of four-footed domestic animals).

dam

³

abbreviation

1. dekameter; dekameters.

Dam

⁴

[dam, dahm]

noun

1. (Carl Peter) Henrik 1895–1976, Danish biochemist: Nobel Prize in Medicine 1943.

dam

¹

/ dæm /

noun

1. a barrier of concrete, earth, etc, built across a river to create a body of water for a hydroelectric power station, domestic water supply, etc

2. a reservoir of water created by such a barrier

3. something that resembles or functions as a dam

verb

1. to obstruct or restrict by or as if by a dam

Dam

²

/ dam /

noun

1. ( Carl Peter ) Henrik (ˈhɛnrəɡ). 1895–1976, Danish biochemist who discovered vitamin K (1934): Nobel prize for physiology or medicine 1943

dam

³

/ dæm /

noun

1. the female parent of an animal, esp of domestic livestock

dam

⁴

/ dæm /

interjection

1. (often used in combination) a variant spelling of damn damn damn damn

   damfool

   dammit

dam

⁵

symbol

1. decametre(s)

Word History and Origins

Origin of dam¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle Dutch, Middle Low German, dam; akin to Old English for-demman to stop up, block

Origin of dam²

1250–1300; Middle English; variant of dame

Word History and Origins

Origin of dam¹

C12: probably from Middle Low German; compare Old Icelandic damma to block up

Origin of dam²

C13: variant of _dame

Idioms and Phrases

see water over the dam.

Example Sentences

“Beavers! Build dams in every brook and stream. We must not let any fresh water pour into the ocean! “

Read more on Literature

The phenomenon is referred to as the “Beaver Moon” because it’s a time when beavers build their dams and take shelter before the ground freezes, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s the river, and the hydroelectric dams that line it in this area, that is helping propel the latest shift in fortune.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It is the time of year beavers become particularly active as they build dams and stock up on food for the winter.

Read more on BBC

Armies of robot workers methodically dug new tunnels and built new dams and worked in new mining operations.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• bank 
• barrier 
• dike 
• ditch 
• gate 
• levee