dam

¹

[dam]

noun

1. a barrier to obstruct the flow of water, especially one of earth, masonry, etc., built across a stream or river.

2. a body of water confined by a dam.

3. any barrier resembling a dam.

verb (used with object)

dammed, damming 

1. to furnish with a dam; obstruct or confine with a dam.

2. to stop up; block up.

   Synonyms: choke, check, clog, impede

dam

²

[dam]

noun

1. a female parent (used especially of four-footed domestic animals).

dam

³

abbreviation

1. dekameter; dekameters.

Dam

⁴

[dam, dahm]

noun

1. (Carl Peter) Henrik 1895–1976, Danish biochemist: Nobel Prize in Medicine 1943.

dam

¹

/ dæm /

noun

1. a barrier of concrete, earth, etc, built across a river to create a body of water for a hydroelectric power station, domestic water supply, etc

2. a reservoir of water created by such a barrier

3. something that resembles or functions as a dam

verb

1. to obstruct or restrict by or as if by a dam

Dam

²

/ dam /

noun

1. ( Carl Peter ) Henrik (ˈhɛnrəɡ). 1895–1976, Danish biochemist who discovered vitamin K (1934): Nobel prize for physiology or medicine 1943

dam

³

/ dæm /

noun

1. the female parent of an animal, esp of domestic livestock

dam

⁴

/ dæm /

interjection

1. (often used in combination) a variant spelling of damn damn damn damn

   damfool

   dammit

dam

⁵

symbol

1. decametre(s)

Word History and Origins

Origin of dam¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle Dutch, Middle Low German, dam; akin to Old English for-demman to stop up, block

Origin of dam²

1250–1300; Middle English; variant of dame

Word History and Origins

Origin of dam¹

C12: probably from Middle Low German; compare Old Icelandic damma to block up

Origin of dam²

C13: variant of _dame

Idioms and Phrases

see water over the dam.

Example Sentences

When Winslet allows the dam surrounding Mare’s despair to crack a little, frosting the blank spaces between lines of dialogue with pure aching emotion, tearing your eyes away is impossible.

From Salon

The dam burst by the time USC touched the ball a third time.

From Los Angeles Times

It comes after Pakistani officials said India had warned it would release water from major dams upstream, causing heavy flooding in parts of what is Pakistan's most populous province.

From BBC

Yet, Mr Sheikh says it includes some existing projects, such as dams and hydropower.

From BBC

The visit also comes a month after the CCP began construction in the region on what will be the world's biggest dam.

From BBC

Related Words

• bank 
• barrier 
• dike 
• ditch 
• gate 
• levee