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Dam Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dam

[dæm ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

water

A barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea.

Synonyms

barrier, blockage, embankment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dam

A structure built across a river to control the flow of water, often used for water storage, irrigation, or hydroelectric power.

  • The government decided to build a dam to generate electricity for the nearby villages.
  • The dam burst after heavy rains, causing severe flooding in the area.
barrier

An obstacle that prevents movement or access; can be physical or metaphorical. It is used in a wide range of contexts.

  • The Great Wall of China served as a barrier to keep out invaders.
  • Language barriers can be a significant challenge for international businesses.
embankment

A wall or bank of earth or stone built to prevent a river from flooding an area or to support a road or railway.

  • The train sped along the embankment, offering a view of the river below.
  • The village was protected from the rising floodwaters by a sturdy embankment.
blockage

An obstruction that prevents passage or flow, often in pipes, roads, or bodily functions. Usually has a negative connotation.

  • The plumber fixed the blockage in the kitchen sink.
  • There was a blockage in the artery, leading to a heart attack.

Examples of usage

  • The dam was built to prevent flooding in the area.
  • The beavers built a dam across the river.
Context #2 | Verb

water

To obstruct the flow of water by building a barrier.

Synonyms

block, impede, obstruct.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dam

Used when referring to a structure built to stop water from flowing in a river or stream.

  • The workers built a dam to control the river's flow.
  • A beaver creates a dam using branches and mud.
block

Commonly used when something is preventing another thing from passing through or moving forward. Can be used in both physical and abstract contexts.

  • A fallen tree blocked the road after the storm.
  • She tried to block negative thoughts from her mind.
obstruct

Used to describe something deliberately or unintentionally preventing movement, progress, or view. Slightly more formal and can have a negative connotation.

  • Overgrown plants can obstruct the view from the window.
  • The protesters were accused of trying to obstruct justice.
impede

Often used in more formal or technical contexts to describe something slowing down progress or movement.

  • Heavy traffic can impede emergency vehicles.
  • Her lack of experience might impede her progress in the new job.

Examples of usage

  • They dammed the river to create a reservoir.
  • The beavers dammed the stream with sticks and mud.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word comes from Old French 'dame', which meant 'lady', but in this case, refers to a structure that controls water.
  • Ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians and Greeks, constructed early dams to manage flooding and water supply for agriculture.

Engineering

  • Dams help provide hydroelectric power, generating electricity from the water's movement.
  • The Hoover Dam, built in the 1930s, is one of the largest concrete structures and plays a key role in water management in the USA.

Environmental Impact

  • While dams can provide benefits like irrigation and flood control, they also disrupt local ecosystems and fish migration.
  • Some countries are rethinking dam projects to minimize environmental damage and focus on sustainable water management.

Literature and Culture

  • Dams often appear in literature as symbols of control, confinement, or the struggle against nature, highlighting human interaction with the environment.
  • In various cultures, dams are celebrated in folk stories, illustrating the balance between development and nature.

Economic Influence

  • Dams can be crucial for a nation's economy, facilitating water supply for agriculture, industry, and domestic use.
  • Tourism around dam sites, like the Three Gorges Dam in China, generates significant revenue through visitors interested in engineering and nature.

Origin of 'dam'

The word 'dam' originated from Middle English 'damme', from Middle Dutch 'dam', from Old Dutch 'damm', from Proto-Germanic 'dammaz', which is related to Old Norse 'dammar'. The concept of building barriers to control water flow has been present in human history for centuries, with ancient civilizations constructing dams for irrigation, flood control, and other purposes.

See also: dame, damn, damnation.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,254, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.