dam
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.
Example
“A dam is often an essential source of water to farmers of hilly country.”
Other meanings
The water reservoir resulting from placing such a structure.
“Boats may only be used at places set aside for boating on the dam.”
A device to prevent a tooth from getting wet during dental work, consisting of a rubber sheet held with a band.
A kind of
- barrier
Word history
From Middle English "dam".
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “dam” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.