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dam

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /dæm/

Forms: dams

dam means: A strong wall across a river that holds back or controls the water.

noun

WATER BARRIERB1

A strong wall across a river that holds back or controls the water.

  • They built a dam across the river.
  • The dam supplies water to nearby farms.
  • Heavy rain damaged two dams last year.

Similar words: barrier

Common phrases: build a dam, hydroelectric dam

STORED WATERC1

A lake formed by a wall that stops water flowing along a river.

  • They went fishing on the dam.
  • Heavy rain raised the water level in the dam.
  • Boats gathered near the edge of the dam.

Similar words: reservoir

Common phrases: on the dam, dam water

PROTECTIVE BARRIERC2

A barrier that keeps liquid away from an area, especially during dental treatment.

  • The dentist used a rubber dam.
  • This dam keeps saliva away from the tooth.
  • She removed the dental dam after treatment.

Similar words: barrier

Common phrases: dental dam, rubber dam

verb

BLOCK WATERB2

To stop water flowing by building a barrier across its path.

  • Beavers dam small streams.
  • They dammed the river to create a lake.
  • Should we dam this channel?

Similar words: block

Common phrases: dam a river, dam a stream

Questions about dam

What does dam mean?

A strong wall across a river that holds back or controls the water.

What is dam in other languages?

Türkçe: baraj · Español: presa · Français: barrage · Deutsch: Staudamm · Italiano: diga · 日本語: ダム

How do you pronounce dam?

It is pronounced /dæm/.

How do you use dam in a sentence?

They built a dam across the river. The dam supplies water to nearby farms.

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