dam - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

A barrier built to block the flow of water is called a dam. If you walk along a stream, you can see where beavers have built a dam out of mud and logs.

As a verb, dam means to obstruct or blockade as with a dam. If the kids you're babysitting dam up the bathtub drain when you're not paying attention, the water might overflow and cause a waterfall into the living room downstairs. But water isn't the only thing that can be dammed. You shouldn't dam up your emotions — go ahead and scream if you need to.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: dam

1	n v	a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea obstruct with, or as if with, a dam
2	n	a metric unit of length equal to ten meters
3	n	female parent of an animal especially domestic livestock

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: dam

1

n a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea

Synonyms:: dike, dyke

Examples:: Aswan High Dam
one of the world's largest dams on the Nile River in southern Egypt; Glen Canyon Dam
a large dam built in 1964 on the Colorado River in Arizona; Hoover Dam
a large dam built in 1933 on the Colorado River in Nevada

Types:: milldam
dam to make a millpond to provide power for a water mill; weir
a low dam built across a stream to raise its level or divert its flow

Type of:: barrier
a structure or object that impedes free movement

v obstruct with, or as if with, a dam

“dam the gorges of the Yangtse River”

Synonyms:: dam up

Type of:: block, close up, impede, jam, obstruct, obturate, occlude
block passage through

2

n a metric unit of length equal to ten meters

Synonyms:: decameter, decametre, dekameter, dekametre, dkm

Type of:: metric linear unit
a linear unit of distance in metric terms

3

n female parent of an animal especially domestic livestock

Type of:: female
an animal that produces gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes (spermatozoa)