stamp

1 of 2

verb

ˈstamp

transitive sense 2a & intransitive sense 2 are also ˈstämp,

or ˈstȯmp

stamped; stamping; stamps

Synonyms of stamp next

transitive verb

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

a(1)

: to strike or beat forcibly with the bottom of the foot

(2)

: to bring down (the foot) forcibly

: to extinguish or destroy by or as if by stamping with the foot

—usually used with out

stamp out cancer

: impress, imprint

stamp "paid" on the bill

: to attach a stamp to

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

: to provide with a distinctive character

stamped with a dreary, institutionalized look—

Bernard Taper

: characterize

stamped as honest women—

W. M. Thackeray

intransitive verb

: pound sense 1

: to strike the foot forcibly or noisily downward

stamp

2 of 2

noun

: a device or instrument for stamping

: the impression or mark made by stamping or imprinting

: a distinctive character, indication, or mark

: a lasting imprint

: the act of stamping

: a stamped or printed paper affixed in evidence that a tax has been paid

also : postage stamp

stampless adjective

Example Sentences

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

Verb

In May 2021, the WHO instituted its now-familiar Greek-letter naming system to stamp out the geographic associations that were gaining prominence at the time. —

Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2023 But that's only if the Frogs can stamp out the Bulldogs' pass rush. —

Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2023 Those sorts of price gains tend to be fueled by increasing wages, and can take time to stamp out. —

Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2022 The palace moved quickly to stamp out a potential scandal after the queen’s former lady-in-waiting, Lady Susan Hussey, was alleged to have made inappropriate remarks to a Black guest at Buckingham Palace. —

Max Colchester And Sarah Ball, WSJ, 8 Dec. 2022 Chinese authorities moved quickly to stamp out large protests over its zero-COVID policies that flared in major Chinese cities last weekend. —

Amy Gunia, Time, 2 Dec. 2022 The strategy, which relies on mass testing, lockdowns and digital tracking to stamp out outbreaks, has failed to contain more contagious variants as China clings to its draconian approach long after the rest of the world has largely moved on. —

Rebecca Wright, CNN, 1 Dec. 2022 Such demonstrations are extremely rare in China, where authorities move quickly to stamp out all forms of dissent. —

Leo Sands, Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2022 Critics have said the wording of the article is so vague, it can be used to stamp out dissent. —

Zeynep Bilginsoy, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Nov. 2022

Noun

Only 29 of the 100 most popular films of last year meet ReFrame’s stamp criteria, which require that at least 50% of key roles on a film set be filled by women or nonbinary/gender non-conforming people. —

Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 1 Mar. 2023 Last spring, the postal service issued a stamp in honor of the Ukrainian soldiers defending Snake Island. —

Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2023 The best-selling pants even have a celebrity stamp approval. —

Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2023 But Gallagher reminded the jury of that time-stamp — 3:30 a.m. — that pathologist Michael Baden put as Cathy's possible time of death. —

Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2023 Let your kids paint their hands and stamp handprints on white paper or poster board. —

Christina Montoya Fiedler, Woman's Day, 24 Feb. 2023 Ukraine’s postal service issued a commemorative anniversary stamp depicting a mural by the British artist Banksy that appeared last year in the devastated town of Borodyanka. —

Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2023 If you’re intimidated by free-handing the shape, stamp-on liner is for you. —

Margaux Anbouba, ELLE, 22 Feb. 2023 Pick up a passport at any participating southwest Washington brewery or taproom then visit your favorite breweries and pubs for their dark beers and get a stamp or sign-off on your card. —

oregonlive, 10 Feb. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of stamp was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stamp. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

stamp

1 of 2 verb

ˈstamp

senses 1b & 2 are also ˈstämp,

or ˈstȯmp

: to pound or crush with a heavy instrument

: to strike or beat forcibly with the bottom of the foot

: to put an end to or destroy by or as if by stamping with the foot

: to walk heavily or noisily

: impress entry 1 sense 1, imprint

stamp the bill "paid"

: to attach a stamp to

stamp a letter

: to form with a stamp or die

: characterize sense 1

stamped as reliable workers

stamper noun

stamp

2 of 2 noun

: a device or instrument for stamping

: the mark made by stamping

: a sign of a special quality

a stamp of genius

: the act of stamping

: a stamped or printed paper attached to something to show that a tax or fee has been paid

: postage stamp

Legal Definition

stamp

noun

: 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