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

The dam collapse killed 19 people, polluted the river and destroyed hundreds of homes.

Read more on BBC

The failure of the mine-waste dam and resulting mudslide near the town of Mariana killed 19 people and polluted more than 400 miles of rivers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"BHP are strictly liable as 'polluters' in respect of damage caused by the collapse," of the dam, the High Court in London said in its ruling following a large-scale trial.

Read more on Barron's

Vale and BHP were acquitted in November 2024 of criminal charges by a Brazilian court, which ruled there was insufficient evidence linking them to the dam's failure.

Read more on Barron's

Sudanese paramilitary forces on Thursday launched several drone strikes on the northern town of Merowe, targeting a major dam in army-held territory, the army and other sources said.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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