dam
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for dam, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A barrier built across a river or stream to hold back or control the flow of water.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use dam
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English damm, a very old Germanic word for a barrier holding back water.
Full origin of dam →Frequently asked questions
What does “dam” mean?
The word “dam” means a barrier built across a river or stream to hold back or control the flow of water. In plain terms, a wall or barrier that holds back water — or, for animals, the mother.
How do you pronounce “dam”?
“Dam” is pronounced DAM (/ˈdæm/ in IPA).
How do you use “dam” in a sentence?
Here is “dam” used in a sentence: “The dam supplies electricity to three nearby towns.”
What part of speech is “dam”?
Depending on how it is used, “dam” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dam” come from?
The word “dam” comes from Old English. From Old English damm, a very old Germanic word for a barrier holding back water.
Is “dam” a common word?
“Dam” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “dam” have?
“Dam” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a barrier built across a river or stream to hold back or control the flow of water.
What is the difference between a dam and a levee?
A dam is a barrier built across a river or stream to hold back or control water, usually creating a reservoir behind it. A levee runs alongside a river to stop it overflowing its banks. A dam blocks the flow across the channel, while a levee contains it along the sides.
What is the difference between a dam and a reservoir?
A dam is the physical barrier built across a river to hold back water. A reservoir is the body of stored water that collects behind the dam. In short, the dam is the structure, and the reservoir is the lake it creates.
What is the difference between 'dam' and 'damn'?
'Dam' and 'damn' are homophones with different meanings. 'Dam' is a barrier that holds back water, or the verb for blocking water's flow. 'Damn' is an exclamation or a verb meaning to condemn. The silent 'n' in 'damn' is the key spelling difference.
What is the difference between a dam and a weir?
A dam is a substantial barrier that holds back a large volume of water, often for storage or power. A weir is a lower barrier that water flows over the top of, used mainly to control or measure flow rather than to store water.