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damping

American  
[dam-ping] / ˈdæm pɪŋ /

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 British  
/ 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

"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

damping Scientific  
/ dămpĭng /
  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.


Etymology

Origin of damping

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the opposite end of the MPC spectrum, Alan Taylor made the case for further cuts to bring the key rate to a neutral level at which it is no longer damping activity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Joint research External link published by The Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute last month noted that reduced migration likely only resulted in “modest damping” effects on GDP.

From Barron's

These vibrations produce distinct tones defined by two measurements, Mitman explained: an oscillation frequency and a damping time.

From Science Daily

These modes have limited authority over actual acceleration, suspension damping, cornering limits and steering feedback.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some in the market also worry that big Japanese life insurers and pension funds will decide that yields are sufficiently attractive at home, damping their appetite for bonds issued in the U.S. and Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal