damper

American  

[dam-per] / ˈdæm pər /

noun

1. a person or thing that damps or depresses.

   His glum mood put a damper on their party.

2. a movable plate for regulating the draft in a stove, furnace, etc.

3. Music.

   1. a device in stringed keyboard instruments to deaden the vibration of the strings.

   2. the mute of a brass instrument, as a horn.

4. Electricity. an attachment to keep the indicator of a measuring instrument from oscillating excessively, as a set of vanes in a fluid or a short-circuited winding in a magnetic field.

5. Machinery. a shock absorber.

6. Australian.

   1. a round, flat cake made of flour and water, and cooked over a campfire.

   2. the dough for such cakes.

---

damper British  

/ ˈdæmpə /

noun

1. a person, event, or circumstance that depresses or discourages

2. to produce a depressing or inhibiting effect on

   the bad news put a damper on the party

3. a movable plate to regulate the draught in a stove or furnace flue

4. a device to reduce electronic, mechanical, acoustic, or aerodynamic oscillations in a system

5. music the pad in a piano or harpsichord that deadens the vibration of each string as its key is released

6. any of various unleavened loaves and scones, typically cooked on an open fire

---

damper Idioms  

1. see put a damper on.

---

Etymology

Origin of damper

First recorded in 1740–50; damp + -er ¹

Example Sentences

But it could put a damper on the Rose Parade, beginning with the spectators camping out along Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Eve to secure a prime viewing spot.

From Los Angeles Times

China’s real-estate boom had turned to a bust, weighing on the economy and putting a damper on consumer spending.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, uneasiness over the sustainability of the AI trade persists, which could put a damper on investors’ spirits.

From MarketWatch

Avian flu, which still threatens not only the U.S. but also flocks worldwide, would seem to be the biggest damper to investors’ appetites for Cal-Maine.

From Barron's

Then came the dual writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023 that put a damper on production again.

From Los Angeles Times