Showing results for "damping"

• present participle of damp.

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.

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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

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damping Scientific  

/ dăm′pĭng /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of damping

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

damping

Despite an active El Niño, experts say the Southwestern United States likely won’t feel its damping effect until next year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

There’s a chance, experts noted, that this year’s El Niño could bring more fall rain, damping the Santa Ana winds’s ability to fuel fast-moving fires.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

A stronger franc lowers the domestic prices of imported goods, while also damping demand for Swiss goods abroad, which also cools inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026

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

From Science Daily ● Feb. 1, 2026

Still, now and then, I received a damping check to my cheerfulness; and was, in spite of myself, thrown back on the region of doubts and portents, and dark conjectures.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë