Dam — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb abbreviation /ˈdam/

Meaning & Definition of Dam

Dam (noun)

  1. a barrier preventing the flow of water or of loose solid materials (such as soil or snow); especially, civil engineering, a barrier built across a watercourse for impounding water
  2. a barrier to check the flow of liquid, gas, or air
  3. a body of water confined by a barrier
  4. the female parent of an animal and especially of a domestic animal

Dam (verb)

  1. to provide or restrain with a barrier that prevents the flow of water, to provide or restrain with a dam
  2. to stop up, block

Dam (abbreviation)

  1. dekameter

Dam (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a bank of earth constructed to control water

    "the river backed up behind the dam until it formed a new lake"

    similar: dike, embankment, head, levee
    related: breakwater, jetty, seawall, breastwork, bulwark, earthwork, rampart, canal, channel, ditch, gutter, trough, lock, barricade, barrier, block, floodgate, sluice, barrage, milldam, stank (British), weir

Dam (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to prevent passage through by filling with something

    "ice floes were damming the river"

    similar: block, choke, clog, clot, congest, gum (up), jam, obstruct, occlude, plug (up), stop (up), stuff
    related: bung, cork, spile, stopper, stopple, fill, gridlock, pack, fur, silt, flood, glut, inundate, overwhelm, swamp
    opposite: clear, free, open (up), unblock, unclog, unplug, unstop
    near: excavate, hollow (out), scoop (out), empty, lighten

  2. to close up so that no empty spaces remain

    "dam up the pipes"

    similar: block, bung, fill, pack, plug, stop, stuff
    related: choke, clog, close (off), clot, congest, jam, obstruct, occlude, caulk, chink, seal, repack, restuff
    near: excavate, hollow (out), scoop (out), shovel

Related Entry: Dam (up) (verb)

Dam (up) is a different word from Dam. The synonyms below are for dam (up), not for dam.

  1. as in stop, close

    similar: block, clog (up), close, plug (up), stop, constrict, encumber, hamper, hinder, impede, interfere (with), obstruct, trammel, barricade, blockade
    opposite: clear, free, open, unclog, unplug, unstop, ease, facilitate, loosen (up), smooth

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dam

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dam:

dike, embankment, head, levee, block, choke, clog, clot, congest, gum (up), jam, obstruct, occlude, plug (up), stop (up), stuff, bung, fill, pack, plug, stop

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dam

Words with the opposite meaning of Dam:

clear, free, open (up), unblock, unclog, unplug, unstop

Related Words for Dam

breakwater, jetty, seawall, breastwork, bulwark, earthwork, rampart, canal, channel, ditch, gutter, trough, lock, barricade, barrier, floodgate, sluice, barrage, milldam, stank, weir, cork, spile, stopper, stopple, gridlock, fur, silt, flood, glut

Near Antonyms of Dam

excavate, hollow (out), scoop (out), empty, lighten, shovel

Word Forms of Dam

Inflections: dammed, damming

Origin & Etymology of Dam

Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch; akin to Old English fordemman to stop up

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Dam

Words & Phrases Containing Dam

air dam

Frequently Asked Questions about Dam

What does "Dam" mean?

"Dam" means a barrier preventing the flow of water or of loose solid materials (such as soil or snow); especially, civil engineering, a barrier built across a watercourse for impounding water. As an a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, it is defined as: a barrier preventing the flow of water or of loose solid materials (such as soil or snow); especially, civil engineering, a barrier built across a watercourse for impounding water. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dam"?

Other words for "Dam" include dike, embankment, head, levee, block, choke, clog and clot. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dam" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dam"?

There are 60 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dam". Common alternatives include dike, embankment, head, levee, block, choke, clog, clot, congest and gum (up).

What is the opposite of "Dam"?

Antonyms of "Dam" include clear, free, open (up), unblock, unclog, unplug and unstop. Near antonyms include excavate, hollow (out), scoop (out) and empty.

How do you use "Dam" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dam" in a sentence: "the river backed up behind the dam until it formed a new lake"; "ice floes were damming the river"; "dam up the pipes".

Is "Dam" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dam" can be used as a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

Is "Dam" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Dam" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Dam"?

"Dam" is pronounced /ˈdam/.