stamp

1 of 2

verb

ˈstamp 

transitive sense 2a & intransitive sense 2 are also

ˈstämp 

or ˈstȯmp

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

stamping the ground

—often used with on

stamped on my foot

(2)

: to bring down (the foot) forcibly

stamped his foot in anger

b

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

—usually used with out

stamped out the fire

stamp out cancer

3

a

: impress, imprint

stamp "paid" on the bill

b

: to attach a stamp to

stamped the envelope

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 them as honorable people

intransitive verb

1

: pound sense 1

2

: to strike the foot forcibly or noisily downward

stamp

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms of stamp

Verb

• shuffle
• stomp
• stumble

Noun

• impression
• imprint
• impress
• print

Examples of stamp in a Sentence

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

The chant has been a tradition in Mexican club and international football for years, and FIFA has been trying to stamp it out with warnings, fines and even full stadium closures since 2014. —Matt Slater, New York Times, 2 June 2026

The first slideshow featured photos from their arrival, including a mirror selfie of the 28-year-old in a teeny tiny pale pink string bikini holding a coconut stamped with the words Kylie Cosmetics. —Emma Banks, InStyle, 2 June 2026

Noun

Walkers can pick up a Pilgrim’s Passport at the first hotel and collect stamps along the way, completing the journey with a Testimonium — a certificate of completion — at San Nazario, the site of the former Monastery of San Nazario where San Nilo received the blessing to become a monk. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026

And remember, that’s not seven individual hunks of metal or stamps in the sheet metal; those numbers are far greater. —Byron Hurd, The Drive, 3 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing stamp

• food stamp
• postage-due stamp
• postage-stamp
• pre-stamp
• put/leave one's stamp
• re-stamp
• revenue stamp
• rubber-stamp
• stamp as
• stamp collecting
• stamp mill
• stamp of approval
• stamp on
• stamp out
• stamp tax
• tax stamp
• time stamp
• trading stamp
• tramp stamp

Rhymes for stamp

• amp
• champ
• clamp
• cramp
• damp
• gamp
• lamp
• ramp
• samp
• scamp
• tamp
• tramp

Kids Definition

stamp

1 of 2 verb

ˈstamp 

senses 1b & 2 are also ˈstämp

or ˈstȯmp

1

a

: to pound or crush with a heavy instrument

b

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

c

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

2

: to walk heavily or noisily

3

a

: impress entry 1 sense 1, imprint

stamp the bill "paid"

b

: to attach a stamp to

stamp a letter

4

: to form with a stamp or die

5

: characterize sense 1

stamped as reliable workers

stamper noun

stamp

2 of 2 noun

1

: a device or instrument for stamping

2

: the mark made by stamping

3

: a sign of a special quality

a stamp of genius

4

: the act of stamping

5

a

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

b

: 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