stamp

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verb \ˈstamp; senses vt 2a & vi 2 are also ˈstämp or ˈstȯmp\

Definition of stamp

transitive verb
1 : to pound or crush with a pestle or a heavy instrument
2a (1) : to strike or beat forcibly with the bottom of the foot (2) : to bring down (the foot) forciblyb : to extinguish or destroy by or as if by stamping with the foot —usually used with out stamp out cancer
3a : impress, imprint stamp “paid” on the billb : to attach a stamp to
4 : to cut out, bend, or form with a stamp or die
5a : to provide with a distinctive character stamped with a dreary, institutionalized look — Bernard Taperb : characterize stamped as honest women — W. M. Thackeray
intransitive verb
1 : pound 1
2 : to strike the foot forcibly or noisily downward

See stamp defined for English-language learners

See stamp defined for kids

Examples of stamp in a Sentence

He stamped his foot in anger.
He stamped out of the room.
She stamped the bill “paid.”

Recent Examples of stamp from the Web

The photo appears to show Earhart and Noonan in front of a barge towing an airplane, and the image is stamped with the official markings of the Office of Naval Intelligence.

— dayna evans, The Cut, "Blurry Photo of Amelia Earhart Found — Mystery Solved?", 5 July 2017
The finished project will have black powder coated traffic signals with back lit street signs, landscaping, stamped concrete sidewalks and other aesthetic improvements.

— nicholas sakelaris, star-telegram.com, "Colleyville officials urge patience as massive Colleyville Road project unfolds", 3 July 2017
The remainder of the $515,000 in work will go toward the deteriorating stamped concrete crosswalks and other infrastructure along Chagrin Boulevard and Lee Road, dating back to the original installation in 2004-05.

— thomas jewell, cleveland.com, "Shaker approves Van Aken traffic study, Town Center crosswalk redo", 1 July 2017
The informational event served as an introduction to stamp collecting; children were treated to a starter book.

— helen wolt, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Stamp club celebrates 50 years of collecting", 26 June 2017
But, like Cheap Trick, while Styx’s new songs are fine, none have the kind of indelible chorus hooks that could ever have stamped them as singles.

— howard cohen, miamiherald, "Can ’70s classic rockers recapture their signature sound in their 70s?", 25 June 2017
Other letters come with a wax seal or stamped hearts.

— anna webb, idahostatesman, "Who says the art of letter writing is dead? Not Boise. Get a real letter for 25 cents", 23 June 2017
Ultimately, as RoundUp Ready corn and soy have demonstrated, nature will fight back, creating new and more fearsome weeds/bugs than the ones the chemicals were devised to stamp out.

— bonnie blodgett, Twin Cities, "Blundering Gardener: This week’s worry? Bugs and blight", 17 June 2017
When Georgia Tech dropped Clemson from its schedule in the 1970s, fans boldly stamped two-dollar bills with Tiger Paws to symbolize the money Atlanta would be losing with the exit of Tiger fans.

— caroline mckenzie, Southern Living, "Clemson Wins The South's Best Tailgate", 12 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stamp'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of stamp

Middle English; akin to Old High German stampfōn to stamp and perhaps to Greek stembein to shake up

NEW!

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

stamp

noun

Definition of stamp

1 : a device or instrument for stamping
2 : the impression or mark made by stamping or imprinting
3a : a distinctive character, indication, or markb : a lasting imprint
4 : the act of stamping
5 : a stamped or printed paper affixed in evidence that a tax has been paid; also : postage stamp

stampless

adjective

See stamp defined for English-language learners

Examples of stamp in a Sentence

There was a stamp on the letter showing the date when it was received.
a stamp left in the mud by some prehistoric beast

Recent Examples of stamp from the Web

As the food-stamp program expanded nationally, there was an explosion of EBT cards’ showing up in drug arrests.

— sam adolphsen, National Review, "Has Medicaid Made the Opioid Epidemic Worse?", 5 July 2017
The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE stretches the performance envelope like a cruise missile wearing a forty-nine-cent stamp.

— k.c. colwell, Car and Driver, "2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE", 27 June 2017
To study it, experts must secure samples with a Drug Enforcement Administration stamp of approval.

— lacy schley, Discover Magazine, "Everything Worth Knowing About ... Marijuana", 26 June 2017
Sharon Coolidge/Wochit Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley wielded his veto stamp Friday morning to make sure the city's operating budget was structurally balanced -- something citizens might not worry about, but bond rating agencies consider important.

— sharon coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "John Cranley breaks out his veto stamp on just-passed city budget", 23 June 2017
To celebrate the August 21 total eclipse, the United States Postal Service has released a first-of-a-kind stamp that uses thermochromic ink to transform from an image of the eclipse to the moon using the heat of your finger.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "USPS Releases Ground-Breaking Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever Stamp", 21 June 2017
Today, the U.S. Postal Service issued the first-of-a-kind Forever stamp that transforms from an image of the upcoming solar eclipse to the moon just from the heat of your finger.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "First-of-its-kind #EclipseStamps reveal second image when you touch it", 20 June 2017
Nationally known antiques and art appraiser Todd Peenstra will be available to appraise and consult on items (except books or stamps) at a cost of $5 per item for LHS members and $10 per item for non-LHS members.

— mary schneidau sullivan, Laurel Leader, "Post 60 concert benefits Fourth of July Committee [Old Town Laurel]", 7 June 2017
She was commissioned by the U.S. Postal Service to design a stamp that came out during Christmas 1988 in honor of composer Irving Berlin’s 100th birthday.

— anthony clark carpio, Burbank Leader, "Burbank artist brings puns to life", 30 May 2017

First Known Use of stamp

15th century

STAMP Defined for English Language Learners

stamp

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verb

Definition of stamp for English Language Learners

: to bring (your foot) down heavily and noisily
: to walk heavily and noisily
: to use a special device (called a stamp) to put a design, word, etc., on something : to create a mark by pressing a special tool against a surface

stamp

noun

Definition of stamp for English Language Learners

: a small piece of paper that you buy and then stick to an envelope or package to pay the cost of mailing it
: a small piece of paper that is attached to something and that shows that a tax or fee has been paid
: a device or tool that is used to mark something (such as a piece of paper) with a design, pattern, word, etc., by being pushed against a surface : a device or tool used for stamping something

STAMP Defined for Kids

stamp

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verb \ˈstamp\

Definition of stamp for Students

stamped

;

stamping

1 : to bring the foot down hard and with noise They all laughed and stamped and clapped their hands … — J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
2 : to put an end to by or as if by hitting with the bottom of the foot We stamped out the fire. The mayor promised to stamp out crime.
3 : to mark or cut out with a tool or device having a design The bill was stamped paid. The mint stamps coins.
4 : to attach a postage stamp to
5 : characterize 1 Their acts stamped them as cowards.

stamp

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noun

Definition of stamp for Students

1 : a small piece of paper or a mark attached to something to show that a tax or fee has been paid a postage stamp
2 : a device or instrument for marking with a design
3 : the mark made by stamping
4 : a sign of a special quality the stamp of genius She gave the idea her stamp of approval.
5 : the act of bringing the foot down hard

Law Dictionary

stamp

noun

Legal Definition of stamp

: an official mark or seal set on something (as a deed) chargeable with a government or state duty or tax or on papers requiring execution under certain conditions to signify that the duty or tax has been paid or the condition fulfilled; especially : revenue stamp