dam
1[ dam ]
/ dæm /
noun
a barrier to obstruct the flow of water, especially one of earth, masonry, etc., built across a stream or river.
a body of water confined by a dam.
any barrier resembling a dam.
verb (used with object), dammed, dam·ming.
to furnish with a dam; obstruct or confine with a dam.
to stop up; block up.
QUIZZES
LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!
Are you learning Spanish? Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you.
Question 1 of 13
How do you say “cat” 🐈 in Spanish?
Origin of dam
11275–1325; Middle English <Middle Dutch, Middle Low German, dam; akin to Old English for-demman to stop up, block
Words nearby dam
Definition for dam (2 of 4)
dam2
[ dam ]
/ dæm /
noun
a female parent (used especially of four-footed domestic animals).
Origin of dam
21250–1300; Middle English; variant of dame
Definition for dam (3 of 4)
dam3
abbreviation
dekameter; dekameters.
Definition for dam (4 of 4)
Dam
[ dam, dahm ]
/ dæm, dɑm /
noun
(Carl Pe·ter) Hen·rik [kahrl -pee-ter -hen-rik; Danish kahrl -pey-tuhr -hen-rik], /kɑrl ˈpi tɛr ˈhɛn rɪk; Danish kɑrl ˈpeɪ tər ˈhɛn rɪk/, 1895–1976, Danish biochemist: Nobel Prize in Medicine 1943.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for dam
British Dictionary definitions for dam (1 of 5)
dam1
/ (dæm) /
noun
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
a reservoir of water created by such a barrier
something that resembles or functions as a dam
verb dams, damming or dammed
(tr often foll by up) to obstruct or restrict by or as if by a dam
Word Origin for dam
C12: probably from Middle Low German; compare Old Icelandic damma to block up
British Dictionary definitions for dam (2 of 5)
dam2
/ (dæm) /
noun
the female parent of an animal, esp of domestic livestock
Word Origin for dam
C13: variant of dame
British Dictionary definitions for dam (3 of 5)
dam3
/ (dæm) /
interjection, adverb, adjective
(often used in combination) a variant spelling of damn (def. 1), damn (def. 2), damn (def. 3), damn (def. 4) damfool; dammit
British Dictionary definitions for dam (4 of 5)
dam4
symbol for
decametre(s)
British Dictionary definitions for dam (5 of 5)
Dam
/ (Danish dam) /
noun
(Carl Peter) Henrik (ˈhɛnrəɡ). 1895–1976, Danish biochemist who discovered vitamin K (1934): Nobel prize for physiology or medicine 1943
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for dam (1 of 2)
dam
[ dăm ]
n.
A barrier against the passage of liquid or loose material, especially a rubber sheet used in dentistry to isolate one or more teeth from the rest of the mouth.
Medical definitions for dam (2 of 2)
Dam
[ dăm, däm ]
Danish biochemist. He shared a 1943 Nobel Prize for the discovery of vitamin K.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Idioms and Phrases with dam
dam
see water over the dam.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.