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 one major slight that really puts a significant damper on things was the Jake Walman trade. —Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025

Baltimore’s heat index could reach the triple digits under sunny skies on Sunday before some cooler, damper air along with storms roll in to start the work week. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 17 Aug. 2025

To ensure that the F80’s aero performance stays consistent, four 48-volt active dampers complete a cycle every 25 milliseconds to maintain ride height and prevent body roll. —Jonny Lieberman, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2025

To reduce movement during strong winds, LeMessurier also proposed installing a huge counterweight, known as a tuned mass damper, in the tower’s upper floors. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing damper

• put a damper on

Rhymes for damper

• camper
• hamper
• pamper
• scamper
• stamper
• tamper

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