dam

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dam ON THESAURUS.COM

dekameter; dekameters.

Nearby words

daltonian, daltonism, daly, daly city, dalén, dam, damage, damage control, damaged goods, damages, damaging

Definition for dam (2 of 4)

dam

[ 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.

Origin of dam

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

SYNONYMS FOR dam

5 impede, clog, check, choke.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dam ON THESAURUS.COM

Definition for dam (3 of 4)

dam

[ dam ]

/ dæm /

noun

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

Origin of dam

1250–1300; Middle English; variant of dame

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-tuh r 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for dam

A dam now in place on the Thai side of the line prevents the railway from being reconstructed in its entirety, he explains.
Riding Thailand’s WWII Death Railway|Liza Foreman|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When the family was fine, or when a cruel employee at the dam was behind the flood, God was left out of the explanation.
Why Are Millennials Unfriending Organized Religion?|Vlad Chituc|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For example, he added, many highly valuable Western hostages are held in an ISIS prison beneath a dam near Raqqa.
Obama Is Just 'Tickling' ISIS, Syrian Rebels Say|Josh Rogin|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Arizona senator described a provision inserted into the debt deal appropriating $2 billion for a Kentucky dam as "disgusting."
McCain Trashes Part of Debt Deal|Ben Jacobs|October 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The ceremony at the Nieuwe Kerk on Dam Square should be a model of stately splendor.
Dutch Coronation Celebrations Clouded After Boston Marathon Bombing|Nadette De Visser|April 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And till us, afore ye go, how ye want this dam, and that's the way she'll be.
The Riverman|Stewart Edward White
The ridge made a sort of dam in the river; and above there was a long reach, smooth and sluggish.
The Woman from Outside|Hulbert Footner
It gave vent to three deafening brays and so burst the dam of silence that had long pent it in.
Kipps|H. G. Wells
He did not see any one moving about the dam either above or below.
Navy Boys Behind the Big Guns|Halsey Davidson
He's the man you're figuring to borrow money from—to build your dam.
Square Deal Sanderson|Charles Alden Seltzer

British Dictionary definitions for dam (1 of 5)

dam

/ (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)

dam

/ (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)

dam

/ (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)

dam

⁴

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

Medicine 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.

Medicine definitions for dam (2 of 2)

Dam

[ dăm, däm ]

(Carl Peter) Henrik 1895-1976

Danish biochemist. He shared a 1943 Nobel Prize for the discovery of vitamin K.

Idioms and Phrases with dam

dam

see water over the dam.