dam
/dæm/ (bre, ipa) · [dˈæm] /dæm/ (ame, ipa) · [dˈæm] /ˈdam/ (ame, mw)
dam — noun
- damsingular
- damsplural
1. a strong wall or barrier placed across the path of a river or stream to hold bac
a strong wall or barrier placed across the path of a river or stream to hold back the current, forming a lake or reservoir that can supply water for farming or produce electric power
The government built a new dam across the Yellow River to supply water to nearby farms.
collocation: build a dam across [river]
After heavy rain, engineers checked the dam for cracks to prevent flooding.
The Hoover Dam produces enough electricity to power more than a million homes each year.
Farmers downstream depend on the dam for irrigation water during the dry season.
After years of cracks, the town voted to tear down the dam and free the river.
文法句型
a dam
the dam
常見錯誤
2. a mound of branches, mud, and stones that beavers build across a narrow stream t
a mound of branches, mud, and stones that beavers build across a narrow stream to create a calm pond where they can live and store food
The beavers built their dam across a small stream behind Bao's house.
collocation: build a beaver dam across [stream]
When the water level dropped, hikers could see the beaver dam made of branches and mud.
material: branches, mud
The beaver dam created a large pond that attracted ducks, frogs, and other animals.
Lotte spotted a small beaver dam made of branches and mud wedged across a narrow bend in the creek.
- beaver lodge
the beaver's home structure, usually built within the pond created by the dam
文法句型
a beaver dam
用法筆記
Beaver dams are typically much smaller than human-built dams and are made from natural materials. They play an important role in creating wetland ecosystems.
3. the mother of an animal, used especially for horses, cows, and other domestic an
the mother of an animal, used especially for horses, cows, and other domestic animals that give birth to young
The horse breeder recorded the dam's name along with the foal's birth date in the registry.
collocation: dam + foal in breeding context
This prize-winning calf came from a dam that had won several national competitions.
Farmers keep detailed records of each dam and her offspring to improve the herd.
The foal inherited its speed from its dam, a racehorse raised in Kentucky.
- mother
the general term for a female parent in any species; less technical than dam
- sire
the male parent of an animal, especially a horse or domestic animal
文法句型
the dam
dam + offspring
用法筆記
Frequently used in animal breeding records. Distinguish from sire, which refers to the male parent. The term dam is most common in horse and cattle breeding contexts.
常見錯誤
4. a thin flexible sheet, usually made of latex, placed over the mouth or teeth as
a thin flexible sheet, usually made of latex, placed over the mouth or teeth as a barrier — dentists use it to isolate a single tooth during work on it, and it can also serve as protection during oral sex to lower the chance of infections
The dentist placed a small rubber dam around Talia's tooth before starting the filling.
dental context: rubber dam around [tooth]
Noor bought dental dams at the pharmacy for protection during oral sex.
sexual health context: dental dam for protection
The dental dam kept the tooth dry and clean while Dr. Okafor replaced the filling.
At the clinic, the nurse showed Lin how to use a dental dam for protection.
- rubber dam
more common term in dentistry; refers to the same thin sheet
- oral dam
alternative name used in sexual health contexts
文法句型
a dental dam
use a dam
用法筆記
In dental contexts, also called a rubber dam. In sexual health contexts, the same type of sheet is often called a dental dam or oral dam. The colour and flavouring may differ between dental and sexual health products.
常見錯誤
5. a unit of length equal to ten meters, written as dam in abbreviations — one deka
a unit of length equal to ten meters, written as dam in abbreviations — one dekameter is about 32.8 feet
Using her GPS device, the surveyor noted that the field boundary sat 12 dam from the edge of the main road.
abbreviation usage: dam = dekameter
The surveyor recorded the distance between the two boundary markers as 12 dam on her field map.
surveying context: dam on a field map
The distance from the fountain to the library entrance is 3 dam, which equals thirty meters on the campus map.
The farmer measured her rice field at 8 dam from the ditch to the road.
文法句型
dam (abbreviation)
用法筆記
The abbreviation dam for dekameter is most common in technical and scientific writing. In everyday conversation, people usually say ten meters rather than one dekameter. The abbreviation uses the same letters as the noun dam, so context must clarify the meaning.
dam — verb
- dampresent simple I / you / we / they
- dams3rd person singular
- damming-ing form
- dammedpast simple
1. to build a wall across a river or stream in order to control how the water moves
to build a wall across a river or stream in order to control how the water moves; also, to stop or block anything from moving or flowing, whether physically or emotionally
The village plans to dam the stream to create a reliable water supply for their crops.
collocation: dam a stream
Fallen trees had dammed the river, causing the water to rise behind them.
passive: dammed by fallen trees
Kabir tried to dam up his emotions, but eventually he broke down and cried.
Workers dammed the canal so the repair team could fix the broken pipe safely.
- release
to let something flow freely again, opposite of all senses of dam
文法句型
dam + river/stream
dam up + object
be dammed
用法筆記
Often used with up — dam up a river or dam up feelings. The metaphorical use (blocking emotions or information) extends from the physical image of a dam holding back water. The verb is less common than the noun in everyday speech.