dam

dam · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A barrier constructed across a waterway to control the flow of water.

  2. 2.

    The female parent of an animal, especially a horse or other quadruped.

  3. 3.

    A body of water held back by a dam; a reservoir.

  4. 4.

    To block or obstruct the flow of water with a dam.

Forms

plural: dams

Related words

See also: barrier, dike, reservoir
Synonyms: barrier, dike, embankment

Etymology

The barrier sense comes from Middle English dam, from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch dam. The animal sense is a variant of dame, from Old French, meaning "lady" or "mother."