DPS
Americanabbreviation
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damage per second: (in a video game)
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a calculation of the rate of damage performed by a particular weapon, spell, character, or job class in the period of one second, used as a standard measurement of effectiveness in order to compare the relative effectiveness of one set of equipment or one character build against another.
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Also called DPS character. damage dealer. See DD.
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Department of Public Safety: a state or local government agency with responsibilities that vary by jurisdiction and can include the coordination of emergency aid services and disaster response, the administration of state police and state correctional facilities, the promotion of highway safety and environmental safety, etc.
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DoctorDoctorate of Public Service: an honorary degree recognizing a person’s outstanding contributions to the community.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Your awareness and quick action help keep our community safe,” DPS said in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2025
Despite this, she said, the findings of the DPS investigator "were rejected by more senior officers within the Met".
From BBC • Aug. 2, 2024
A DPS spokesperson declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.
From Salon • May 23, 2024
Koskoff criticized DPS for deflecting blame away from state police.
From Salon • May 23, 2024
“Oh yeah. A healer and a tank walk into a boss fight with a DPS that doesn’t do damage...”
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.