stamp
stamp
Stamp (noun) means a small piece of paper affixed to mail to show that postage has been paid. Example: “I need to buy a book of stamps at the post office.”
noun
1
A small piece of paper affixed to mail to show that postage has been paid.
"I need to buy a book of stamps at the post office."
"The letter came back because the stamp had fallen off in the rain."
"She forgot to put a stamp on the envelope before mailing it."
2
A device, or the mark it leaves, used to imprint a design, date, or official approval.
"The library uses a stamp to show the date your book is due back."
"The old letter carried a faded stamp from the local council."
"The customs officer pressed a stamp into his passport."
verb
1
To press the foot down heavily and quickly, once or repeatedly.
"Hikers stamped their boots on the step to knock off the snow."
"Stop stamping around upstairs, because the baby has just fallen asleep!"
"The toddler stamped his feet in frustration."
2
To mark something by pressing an inked design, seal, or pattern onto it.
"Please stamp each ticket before the passengers get on the train."
"The baker stamped a small flower onto every biscuit before baking."
"The clerk stamped the document as received."
How to use stamp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small adhesive label for mail, or an official mark pressed onto something — and as a verb, to press down hard with the foot or with a marking device.
Common pairings
postage stamp
stamp of approval
stamp your feet
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Word forms
- Plural
- stamps
- Third person singular
- stamps
- Past tense
- stamped
- Archaic forms
- stampest, stampedst, stampeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I need to buy a book of _____ at the post office.
Etymology
From Old English stempan, meaning to crush or pound, from a Proto-Germanic root for trampling — postage stamps got their name because early postal marks were literally stamped onto letters by hand.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for stamp
See all rhymes for stamp →Frequently asked questions
What does “stamp” mean?
The word “stamp” means a small piece of paper affixed to mail to show that postage has been paid. In plain terms, a small adhesive label for mail, or an official mark pressed onto something — and as a verb, to press down hard with the foot or with a marking device.
How do you pronounce “stamp”?
“Stamp” is pronounced stamp (/stæmp/ in IPA).
How do you use “stamp” in a sentence?
Here is “stamp” used in a sentence: “She forgot to put a stamp on the envelope before mailing it.”
What is another word for “stamp”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stamp” include postage stamp, revenue stamp, tax stamp and stomp.
What part of speech is “stamp”?
Depending on how it is used, “stamp” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “stamp” come from?
The word “stamp” comes from Old English. From Old English stempan, meaning to crush or pound, from a Proto-Germanic root for trampling — postage stamps got their name because early postal marks were literally stamped onto letters by hand.
Is “stamp” a common word?
“Stamp” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “stamp” have?
“Stamp” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small piece of paper affixed to mail to show that postage has been paid.
What is the difference between a stamp and a seal?
A stamp is a device that presses ink onto a surface to leave a mark, design, or date, and also the mark it produces. A seal traditionally makes a raised or embossed impression, often in wax, to authenticate a document. The two overlap in the sense of an official mark, but a stamp is usually inked and a seal is usually pressed or embossed.
What is the difference between a postage stamp and a revenue stamp?
A postage stamp is affixed to mail to show that the cost of sending it has been paid. A revenue stamp instead shows that a tax or duty has been paid on an item or document, so it relates to taxation rather than postal delivery.
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