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, dam·ming.

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 for

1. dekameter; dekameters.

Dam

⁴

[ dam, dahm ]

noun

1. (Carl Pe·ter) Hen·rik [kahrl , pee, -ter , hen, -rik, kah, r, l , pey, -t, uh, r, , hen, -, r, ik], 1895–1976, Danish biochemist: Nobel Prize in Medicine 1943.

dam

¹

/ dæm /

noun

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

Dam

²

/ dam /

noun

1. Dam(Carl Peter) Henrik18951976MDanishSCIENCE: chemist ( Carl Peter ) Henrik (ˈhɛnrəɡ). 1895–1976, Danish biochemist who discovered vitamin K (1934): Nobel prize for physiology or medicine 1943

dam

³

symbol for

1. decametre(s)

dam

⁴

/ 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. troften foll byup to obstruct or restrict by or as if by a dam

dam

⁵

/ dæm /

interjection

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

   dammit

   damfool

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

C13: variant of dame

Origin of dam²

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

Idioms and Phrases

see water over the dam .

Example Sentences

The federal government and California water agencies announced an agreement to raise a dam and expand San Luis Reservoir, increasing its water-storing capacity.

From Los Angeles Times

Shortly after 20:00 on 29 October a first message was sent out warning of the imminent risk of a dam being breached.

From BBC

The Biden administration and eight California water agencies have reached an agreement to share in the costs of raising a dam to expand San Luis Reservoir, a nearly $1-billion project intended to increase the state’s water-storage capacity and benefit a group of urban communities and agricultural areas.

From Los Angeles Times

Sisk Dam and enlarge the reservoir near Los Banos will enable it to hold more water during wet years, boosting the reserves of water suppliers in parts of the Bay Area and the San Joaquin Valley.

From Los Angeles Times

The dam is now undergoing a retrofit that will raise its crest by 10 feet and fortify the dam for earthquake safety.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clog