Word
dam
Meanings
A barrier built across a river or stream to hold back and control water.
A blockage made by animals (especially beavers) using branches and mud to stop water flowing.
Definition
A dam is a barrier built across a river to hold back water and control its flow.
A dam is a solid structure that blocks or slows a river so water collects behind it in a reservoir. Dams are built to manage water supply, prevent flooding, generate electricity, or support irrigation. The stored water can be released in a controlled way through gates or turbines.
Examples
- Engineers inspected the dam after the storm to confirm that the spillway could handle the surge.
- From the lookout point, I could see the dam holding back an enormous reservoir that shimmered in the afternoon light.
- They debated whether the aging dam should be reinforced or removed to restore the river’s natural flow.
- She read about how the dam changed local ecosystems and altered migration routes for fish.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse dam (a water barrier) with dike/levee (banks that keep water from flooding land) and use the wrong word for the structure.
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