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dam

noun (1)
\ ˈdam How to pronounce dam (audio) \

Definition of dam

 (Entry 1 of 5)

1a : a barrier preventing the flow of water or of loose solid materials (such as soil or snow) a beaver dam an ice dam especially, civil engineering : a barrier built across a watercourse for impounding (see impound sense 2) water
b : a barrier to check the flow of liquid, gas, or air
2 : a body of water confined by a barrier

dam

verb
dammed; damming

Definition of dam (Entry 2 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to provide or restrain with a barrier that prevents the flow of water : to provide or restrain with a dam (see dam entry 1 sense 1a) dam a river
2 : to stop up : block damming up their emotions

dam

noun (2)

Definition of dam (Entry 3 of 5)

zoology : the female parent of an animal and especially of a domestic animal the foal's dam

dam

abbreviation

Definition of dam (Entry 4 of 5)

dekameter

Dam

biographical name
\ ˈdam How to pronounce Dam (audio) , ˈdäm\

Definition of Dam (Entry 5 of 5)

(Carl Peter) Henrik 1895–1976 Danish biochemist
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dam

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Examples of dam in a Sentence

Verb

 ice floes were damming the river

First Known Use of dam

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for dam

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch; akin to Old English fordemman to stop up

Noun (2)

Middle English dam, dame lady, dam — more at dame

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More Definitions for dam

dam

verb

English Language Learners Definition of dam

: to build a dam across (a river or stream)

See the full definition for dam in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dam

noun
\ ˈdam How to pronounce dam (audio) \

Kids Definition of dam

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: the female parent of a domestic animal (as a dog or horse)

dam

noun

Kids Definition of dam (Entry 2 of 3)

: a barrier (as across a stream) to hold back a flow of water

dam

verb
dammed; damming

Kids Definition of dam (Entry 3 of 3)

: to hold back or block with or as if with a dam Leaves dammed the drains.

dam

noun
\ ˈdam

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