Dam Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of DAM

[count]

:

a structure that is built across a river or stream to stop water from flowing

• The government has plans to build a dam and flood the valley.
• There's a beaver dam [=a dam built by beavers] in the stream behind my house.

Britannica Dictionary definition of DAM

[+ object]

:

to build a dam across (a river or stream)

• Beavers dammed the stream.

— often + up

• They dammed up the river.

Britannica Dictionary definition of DAM

:

the female parent of some animals (such as horses)

• the foal's dam

— compare 1sire