stamp

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

|Updated on: 21 Aug 2018

Examples: stamp in a Sentence

Definition of stamp

stamped; stamping; stamps

transitive verb

1 : to pound or crush with a pestle or a heavy instrument

2 a (1) : to strike or beat forcibly with the bottom of the foot

(2) : to bring down (the foot) forcibly

b : to extinguish or destroy by or as if by stamping with the foot —usually used with out

stamp out cancer

3 a : impress, imprint

stamp "paid" on the bill

b : to attach a stamp to

4 : to cut out, bend, or form with a stamp or die

5 a : to provide with a distinctive character

stamped with a dreary, institutionalized look
—Bernard Taper

b : 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

And once Donald Trump won the presidency — and stamped his garish brand on deportation — a call for the abolition of internal immigration enforcement began steadily building within the Democratic grassroots.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Abolishing ICE Is About As Popular As Trump’s Immigration Agenda," 11 July 2018
The infant's foot is now stamped on the side of Safe Haven Baby Boxes as a reminder that infant abandonment through the use of these boxes can save lives, Znachko said.

— jordyn hermani, Indianapolis Star, "Baby is abandoned at fire department, which is what the firefighters want," 2 July 2018
The days when Sisi enjoyed such widespread popularity that his face was stamped on such products as bottles of cologne and women’s underwear are long gone.

— rachel scheier, latimes.com, "Five years after the noisy ouster of an Islamist president, Egyptians are still frustrated — but quiet," 30 June 2018
Contractors that participate in the program will be able to lease blue vans with the Amazon logo stamped on it, buy Amazon uniforms for drivers and get support from Amazon to grow their business.

— joseph pisani, chicagotribune.com, "Move over UPS truck: Amazon delivery vans to hit the street," 28 June 2018
Contractors that participate in the program will be able to lease blue vans with the Amazon logo stamped on it, buy Amazon uniforms for drivers and get support from Amazon to grow their business.

— Washington Post, "Move over UPS truck: Amazon delivery vans to hit the street," 28 June 2018
The Sackler name is widely recognized, stamped on art galleries, museums and universities around the world.

— susan dunne, courant.com, "Gallery Owner Says Opioid Exhibit, Protest At Purdue Just The Beginning Of 'Spoon Movement'," 26 June 2018
Zalkin said the symbol was stamped on Japanese military items at that time.

— jessica anderson, baltimoresun.com, "Toy-collecting couple in Towson in search of dolls, trains and treasures of the past," 23 June 2018
Rooney was accused of stamping on Carvalho’s groin.

— joshua robinson, WSJ, "The ‘Hand of God’ Delusion: World Cup History on Further Review," 14 June 2018

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! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

stamp Synonyms

stamp

noun

Definition of stamp

1 : a device or instrument for stamping

2 : the impression or mark made by stamping or imprinting

3 a : a distinctive character, indication, or mark

b : 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

Each shade has a psychic's stamp of approval, and the sign is even on the package.

— suzannah weiss, Teen Vogue, "Bite Beauty Releases Astrology Lipstick Collection," 23 Jan. 2018
With a production price tag under $20 million, the film exceeded expectations, grossing $15.5 million, and got audience stamp of approval, with an A CinemaScore.

— NBC News, "'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' is No. 1 at the box office again," 1 July 2018
Looking at the catchphrases featured on the stamps, some have wondered if the set is, in fact, a subtle tribute to Brexit.

— The Economist, "Are these Dad’s Army stamps inspired by Brexit?," 14 June 2018
Bought air mail stationery & stamps, slippers, magnifying glass with which to read V-mail letters, and a Pocket dictionary.

— phoebe wall howard, Detroit Free Press, "Service Diary of a Corpsman: Roy L. Wall, LST 509," 28 May 2018
Anyone fishing for king salmon must obtain a king salmon stamp ($10 for residents, $15 to $100 for nonresidents); children under 16 don't need a license, but must obtain a free harvest card from Fish and Game.

— matt tunseth, Anchorage Daily News, "What to know before you go fishing in Southcentral Alaska," 25 May 2018
The cancellation, for now, stamps out the prospects for peace between the long-at-odds nations, the denuclearization of North Korea and Trump's Nobel Peace Prize.

— eliott c. mclaughlin, CNN, "Never mind the North Korea summit. What happened to the commemorative coin?," 24 May 2018
The open-world genre has gone many interesting directions since Days Gone was announced in 2016, with Horizon: Zero Dawn, God of War, and Far Cry 5 each putting unique, triple-A stamps on the old formula.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Days Gone world premiere hands-on: Have you played a zombie game before?," 22 May 2018
The envelopes each have a double stamp, which Poyser said was a trademark of the Zodiac.

— anita chabria, sacbee, "Vallejo police have sent Zodiac Killer DNA to a lab. Results could come in weeks | The Sacramento Bee," 2 May 2018

First Known Use of stamp

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

stamp Synonyms

Synonyms

attribute, attribution, character, characteristic, criterion, differentia, feature, fingerprint, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, touch, trait;

Related Words

badge, indication, sign;

emblem, symbol, token;

charm, grace;

excellence, merit, virtue;

eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, oddity, quirk;

individuality, singularity, uniqueness;

STAMP Defined for English Language Learners

stamp

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

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

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