dam
1a barrier to obstruct the flow of water, especially one of earth, masonry, etc., built across a stream or river.
a body of water confined by a dam.
any barrier resembling a dam.
to furnish with a dam; obstruct or confine with a dam.
to stop up; block up.
Origin of dam
1Other words for dam
Other definitions for dam (2 of 4)
a female parent (used especially of four-footed domestic animals).
Origin of dam
2Other definitions for dam (3 of 4)
dekameter; dekameters.
Other definitions for Dam (4 of 4)
(Carl Pe·ter) Hen·rik [kahrl pee-ter hen-rik; Danish kahrl pey-tuhr-hen-rik], /kɑrl ˈpi tɛr ˈhɛn rɪk; Danish kɑrl ˈpeɪ tər ˈhɛn rɪk/, 1895–1976, Danish biochemist: Nobel Prize in Medicine 1943.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for dam (1 of 5)
/ (dæm) /
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
a reservoir of water created by such a barrier
something that resembles or functions as a dam
(tr often foll by up) to obstruct or restrict by or as if by a dam
Origin of dam
1British Dictionary definitions for dam (2 of 5)
/ (dæm) /
the female parent of an animal, esp of domestic livestock
Origin of dam
2British Dictionary definitions for dam (3 of 5)
/ (dæm) /
(often used in combination) a variant spelling of damn (def. 1), damn (def. 2), damn (def. 3), damn (def. 4) damfool; dammit
British Dictionary definitions for dam (4 of 5)
decametre(s)
British Dictionary definitions for Dam (5 of 5)
/ (Danish dam) /
(Carl Peter) Henrik (ˈhɛnrəɡ). 1895–1976, Danish biochemist who discovered vitamin K (1934): Nobel prize for physiology or medicine 1943
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with dam
see water over the dam.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse