damping

[dam-ping]

noun

Physics.

1. a decreasing of the amplitude of an electrical or mechanical wave.

2. an energy-absorbing mechanism or resistance circuit causing this decrease.

3. a reduction in the amplitude of an oscillation or vibration as a result of energy being dissipated as heat.

damping

/ ˈdæmpɪŋ /

noun

1. moistening or wetting

2. stifling, as of spirits

3. electronics the introduction of resistance into a resonant circuit with the result that the sharpness of response at the peak of a frequency is reduced

4. engineering any method of dispersing energy in a vibrating system

damping

1. The action of a substance or of an element in a mechanical or electrical device that gradually reduces the degree of oscillation, vibration, or signal intensity, or prevents it from increasing. For example, sound-proofing technology dampens the oscillations of sound waves. Built-in damping is a crucial design element in technology that involves the creation of oscillations and vibrations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of damping¹

First recorded in 1750-60; damp ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Core inflation is likely to trough in the near term and rise gradually over 2026 as some of the factors damping inflation fade, the Monetary Authority of Singapore said Tuesday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That is damping bets that there will be another rate increase this year, though consumer inflation has stayed well above the BOJ’s 2% target this year, bolstering the case for tighter monetary policy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It succeeded, at the very least, in damping down the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union enough that it never escalated into civilization-ending apocalypse.

Read more on Salon

The fire has now been extinguished and firefighters are damping down remaining hotspots.

Read more on BBC

But some tumors fight back to suppress the attacking immune cells, damping the effectiveness of such inhibitors.

Read more on Science Daily