Definition of dam
(Entry 1 of 5)
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 5)
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 5)
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 5)
dekameter
Dam
biographical name
Definition of Dam (Entry 5 of 5)
(Carl Peter) Henrik 1895–1976 Danish biochemist
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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The first known use of dam was in the 13th century
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