noun

dam

dam, barrage

They built a dam to control the river.

They built a dam to control the river.

((a/the)) dam a barrier constructed to hold back water They built a dam to control the river.

Synonyms: barrage, barrier, embankment, levee

From Middle English, from Old Dutch. Related to German 'Damm'. Refers to a barrier to obstruct the flow of water.

Picture a beaver building a 'dam' with logs. The word itself sounds like it's stopping something abruptly.

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