dam
/ˈdæm/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.17 in modern English
6
Scrabble Score
3
Letters
1
Syllables
3
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A structure placed across a flowing body of water to stop the flow or part of the flow, generally for purposes such as retaining or diverting some of the water or retarding the release of accumulated water to avoid abrupt flooding.
noun
A device to prevent a tooth from getting wet during dental work, consisting of a rubber sheet held with a band.
noun
A kind of crowned piece in the game of draughts.
Example Sentences
- "A dam is often an essential source of water to farmers of hilly country."
- "Nothing could be more business-like than the construction of the stout dams, and nothing more gently rural than the limpid lakes, with the grand old forest trees marshalled round their margins[…]"
- "Most of the Himalayan rivers have been relatively untouched by dams near their sources. Now the two great Asian powers, India and China, are rushing to harness them as they cut through some of the world's deepest valleys."
- "Boats may only be used at places set aside for boating on the dam."
- "Home I vvould go, / But that my Dores are hatefull to my eyes. / Fill'd and damm'd up vvith gaping Creditors, / VVatchfull as Fovvlers vvhen their Game vvill ſpring; […]"
- "More dear […] than younglings to their dam."
Etymology
From Middle English dam, from Old English *damm, from Proto-West Germanic *damm, from Proto-Germanic *dammaz.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: dam, *damm, *dammaz, दाम, 𑀤𑀫𑁆𑀫, द्रम्म
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈdæm/
- British English: /ˈdæm/