stamp

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

|Updated on: 12 Jun 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

Suennen has embraced her alter ego, stamping it on her business cards and the nameplate outside her office door.

— rebecca robbins, STAT, "The gatekeeper: If you want to make it big in health care, it’ll help to get past Lisa Suennen first," 6 June 2018
Balta, in his first and only season with the Horned Frogs, forever stamped his legacy on the program with a jaw-dropping performance at the Big 12 tournament.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "Baylor coach hopes TCU's Jim Schlossnagle stays in the Big 12," 28 May 2018
The names are actually stamped But the people who do it are still recognized as engravers.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "10 things you didn't know about the Stanley Cup, including its real name," 22 May 2018
Omari Williams of Dorsey stamped himself as the athlete to beat in the 100 meters, qualifying first in 10.87 seconds at Thursday’s City Section track and field prelims at Birmingham.

— eric sondheimer, latimes.com, "Omari Williams of Dorsey qualifies first in 100 at City Section track prelims," 18 May 2018
Myles Gaskin opted to forego the NFL draft to play his senior year at UW, with a chance to stamp himself as the greatest Husky running back ever.

— larry stone, The Seattle Times, "NFL draft? Myles Gaskin only looking ahead to senior season with Huskies," 21 Apr. 2018
Winfrey stamped out speculation about a presidential run.

— sarah treul, Vox, "Inexperienced candidates are becoming more common, but only in one party," 20 Apr. 2018
Throughout her life Betty stamped her unforgettable smile and sincere charm on anyone who came in contact with her.

— courant.com, "Elizabeth G. Rykhof," 15 Apr. 2018
Monomoy Girl stamped herself as a key player for the Kentucky Oaks with an impressive 5 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s $500,000, Grade 1 Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland.

— jake lourim, The Courier-Journal, "Monomoy Girl rolls in Ashland, looks to be key contender in 2018 Kentucky Oaks," 7 Apr. 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

Her family wants help to give kids a special Christmas The room where Lawyer was staying also housed the man’s stamp collection and other items.

— nashelly chavez, sacbee, "Rapist violated parole by getting Sacramento woman to text nude photos, prosecutor says," 2 June 2018
Another slick take on a serious heater, Izzamuzzic brings some cool after-hour vibes with some noir saxophone, as well as some international passport-stamp style with Middle Eastern percussion.

— kat bein, Billboard, "The 7 Best Pusha T Remixes," 30 May 2018
While Harington and Leslie's big day is sure to be an intimate affair, it was previously revealed that their wedding invitations featured special Jon Snow stamps on the envelopes.

— amy mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kit Harington Hits the Monaco Grand Prix With Game of Thrones Co-Stars Ahead of His Wedding," 27 May 2018
The regal look got Princess Diana’s 1981 wedding dress designer Elizabeth Emanuel’s stamp of approval.

— kaitlyn frey, PEOPLE.com, "You Can Now Buy a Replica of Meghan Markle's Royal Wedding Gown for Under $1,500," 25 May 2018
At the May 14 meeting, his fellow traffic commissioners unanimously agreed to put an official stamp on his efforts, voting to designate him and Commissioner Christine Simokat as representatives to a new ad-hoc committee.

— barbara henry, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Plans in works for Encinitas' first 'Cyclovia'," 24 May 2018
While the stamp images will differ, the smell will be the same for all of them.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "The U.S. Postal Service Is Giving Us the Scratch-and-Sniff Stamps We Never Asked For," 22 May 2018
Each stamp has a pair of popsicles, paletas or other fanciful frosty dessert.

— jennifer mcclellan, azcentral, "Post office to issue scratch-n-sniff stamps for the first time ever," 21 May 2018
Out front, postage-stamp-size lawns are fringed with flowers and succulents.

— leslie carroll, Vanities, "How Meghan Markle Was Destined for the Spotlight," 24 Apr. 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