dam
DAM
Dam (noun) means a barrier built across a river or stream to hold back or control the flow of water. Example: “Engineers inspected the dam every spring to check for cracks.”
noun
1
A barrier built across a river or stream to hold back or control the flow of water.
"Engineers inspected the dam every spring to check for cracks."
"The dam supplies electricity to three nearby towns."
"Heavy rains pushed the reservoir behind the dam to its limit."
2
The female parent of an animal, especially in breeding contexts.
"The puppy's dam was gentle and patient with all her litter."
"Breeders always study the dam's record when choosing which foal to buy."
"The foal's dam was a champion racehorse."
verb
1
To block or hold back the flow of water.
"Workers dammed the narrow valley to create a lake for the town."
"Fallen logs had dammed the little brook, and the field began to flood."
"Beavers dammed the stream with branches and mud."
How to use dam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wall or barrier that holds back water — or, for animals, the mother.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "damn" — they sound alike but are unrelated in meaning and spelling.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
build a dam
burst dam
dam a river
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Word forms
- Plural
- dams
- Third person singular
- dams
- Past tense
- dammed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Engineers inspected the _____ every spring to check for cracks.
Etymology
From Old English damm, a very old Germanic word for a barrier holding back water.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.
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