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dam

noun (1)
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\ ˈdam How to pronounce dam (audio) \

Definition of dam

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1a : a barrier preventing the flow of water or of loose solid materials (such as soil or snow) a beaver dam an ice dam especially, civil engineering : a barrier built across a watercourse for impounding (see impound sense 2) water
b : a barrier to check the flow of liquid, gas, or air
2 : a body of water confined by a barrier

dam

verb
dammed; damming

Definition of dam (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to provide or restrain with a barrier that prevents the flow of water : to provide or restrain with a dam (see dam entry 1 sense 1a) dam a river
2 : to stop up : block damming up their emotions

dam

noun (2)

Definition of dam (Entry 3 of 4)

zoology : the female parent of an animal and especially of a domestic animal the foal's dam

dam

abbreviation

Definition of dam (Entry 4 of 4)

dekameter
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing dam Learn More About dam

Synonyms & Antonyms for dam

Synonyms: Noun (1)

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

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Examples of dam in a Sentence

Verb ice floes were damming the river

First Known Use of dam

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for dam

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch; akin to Old English fordemman to stop up

Noun (2)

Middle English dam, dame lady, dam — more at dame

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Time Traveler for dam

Time Traveler

The first known use of dam was in the 13th century

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Dictionary Entries Near dam

Dalyellia

dam

Dam

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Cite this Entry

“Dam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dam. Accessed 20 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for dam

dam

noun
\ ˈdam How to pronounce dam (audio) \

Kids Definition of dam

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: the female parent of a domestic animal (as a dog or horse)

dam

noun

Kids Definition of dam (Entry 2 of 3)

: a barrier (as across a stream) to hold back a flow of water

dam

verb
dammed; damming

Kids Definition of dam (Entry 3 of 3)

: to hold back or block with or as if with a dam Leaves dammed the drains.

dam

noun
\ ˈdam How to pronounce dam (audio) \

Medical Definition of dam

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: a female parent —used especially of a domestic animal

dam

noun

Medical Definition of dam (Entry 2 of 3)

: rubber dam — see dental dam

dam

abbreviation

Medical Definition of dam (Entry 3 of 3)

dekameter

Dam biographical name

\ ˈdam How to pronounce Dam (audio) , ˈdäm \

Definition of Dam

(Carl Peter) Henrik 1895–1976 Danish biochemist

More from Merriam-Webster on dam

Nglish: Translation of dam for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of dam for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dam

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