# dam vs dump

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### dam
*noun · IPA /dæm/ · frequency rank #5,410*
A structure placed across a flowing body of water to stop the flow or part of the flow, generally for purposes such as retaining or diverting some of the water or retarding the release of accumulated water to avoid abrupt flooding.

### dump
*noun · IPA /dʌmp/ · frequency rank #6,233*
A place where waste or garbage is left; a ground or place for dumping ashes, refuse, etc.; a disposal site.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dump