damper

noun

damp·​er ˈdam-pər 

1

: a dulling or deadening influence

put a damper on the celebration

2

: a device that damps: such as

a

: a valve or plate (as in the flue of a furnace) for regulating the draft

b

: a small felted block to stop the vibration of a piano string

c

chiefly British : shock absorber

3

Australia : a simple usually unleavened bread of a kind made originally in the Australian bush

Synonyms

• mute

Examples of damper in a Sentence

the pianist used the damper pedal on the piano for the quiet passages

Recent Examples on the Web

The Weather Channel forecast for Oct. 31, 2024, for Louisville The Weather Channel is giving Kentucky a slightly damper outlook. —John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 25 Oct. 2024

The setup was developed in collaboration with Motion Control Suspension and features bespoke dampers at each corner that can be independently adjusted. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024

The company also now offers three shock damper options and a Hinson clutch for a bit more feel. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Residents within a three-quarters-mile area were told the stay indoors and seal off windows and doors, close fireplace dampers, and turn off the heat. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing damper

• put a damper on

Kids Definition

damper

noun

damp·​er ˈdam-pər 

: one that damps : as

a

: a valve or plate (as in the flue of a furnace) for regulating the draft

b

: a device (as one of the felt-covered pieces of wood in a piano) used to deaden vibrations or oscillations

c

: a dulling or deadening influence

put a damper on the celebration