# dam

> English word · Noun · IPA /dæm/ · frequency rank #5,410

## Definitions
1. 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.
2. The water reservoir resulting from placing such a structure.
3. A device to prevent a tooth from getting wet during dental work, consisting of a rubber sheet held with a band.
4. A reservoir.
5. A firebrick wall, or a stone, which forms the front of the hearth of a blast furnace.

## Etymology
From Middle English dam, from Old English *damm, from Proto-West Germanic *damm, from Proto-Germanic *dammaz.

## Easily confused with
- **do** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-do)
- **Dr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dr)
- **de** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-de)
- **DC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dc)
- **di** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-di)
- **DJ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dj)
- **DM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dm)
- **DB** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-db)
- **DS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-ds)
- **DD** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dd)
- **DL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dl)
- **DT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dt)
- **DP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dp)
- **dw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dw)
- **Dx** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dx)
- **DG** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dg)
- **DV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dv)
- **dy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dy)
- **DQ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-dq)
- **did** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dam-vs-did)

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