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

Standard twin-tube dampers do a commendable job in corners, allowing just a bit of lean without feeling wishy-washy. —Andrew Krok, Car and Driver, 6 Sep. 2023

Yet when rain, sweat, humidity, or even a good ol’ fashioned cry threaten to put a (literal) damper on your look, these budge-proof formulas will effectively stay locked in for hours. —ELLE, 24 July 2023

The standard Öhlins dampers are adjustable, yes, but only through the knobs on the top of each strut. —Andrew Krok, Car and Driver, 29 Aug. 2023

Beginners may struggle with adjusting the temperature and using the dampers. —Rachel Simon, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2023

An enhanced air-suspension setup with adaptive dampers remains standard equipment for both vehicles, while a more traditional coil spring and adaptive damper configuration—known as Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) in Audi parlance—is optionally available. —Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 6 July 2023

The intake dampers, which allow air in to fuel the charcoal, and the exhaust dampers, which allow smoke to escape, both proved to be responsive for us. —Rachel Simon, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2023

In an unusual move for the segment, the Emira doesn't offer any active dynamic systems, with all versions using passive dampers. —Car and Driver, 7 Aug. 2023

Upon arrival, crews found the man, identified as 47-year-old Ervin Ortiz Guzman, trapped in the throat of the chimney above the damper. —The Arizona Republic, 28 July 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing damper

• put a damper on

• 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