dam

¹ American  

[dam] / dæm /

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.

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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 American  

[dam] / dæm /

noun

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

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dam ³ American  

abbreviation

1. dekameter; dekameters.

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Dam ⁴ American  

[dam, dahm] / dæm, dɑm /

noun

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

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dam ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Dam ² British  

/ dam /

noun

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

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dam ³ British  

/ dæm /

noun

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

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dam ⁴ British  

/ dæm /

interjection

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

   damfool

   dammit

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dam ⁵ British  

symbol

1. decametre(s)

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dam Idioms  

1. see water over the dam.

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

She said that means a wide range of efforts, such as changing how dams are operated and directing stormwater to replenish depleted groundwater.

From Los Angeles Times

Beaver officer Lauren Jasper said the sites were chosen because they offered strong habitat at the headwaters, good damming potential and an existing local flood risk.

From BBC

But with oil returning to the $100 precipice, private credit markets beset by liquidity concerns, and bond investors back on inflation watch, it may not be long before the metaphorical dams start leaking.

From Barron's

In Darwin, people have been asked to reduce water consumption and boil drinking water after the pump station at the dam that supplies most of the city's water was flooded and stopped working.

From BBC

Despite this, the Elan Valley dams are no stranger to deaths - 55 people die in inland waters across Wales every year and the local fire station keeps a boat.

From BBC

Related Words

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