verb · 12 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈdæmpən/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -æmpən
CMU ARPABET:D AE1 M P AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To make damp or moist; to make moderately wet.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To become damp or moist.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To lessen; to dull; to make less intense (said of emotions and non-physical things).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
We won't let the bad news dampen our spirits.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To suppress vibrations (mechanical) or oscillations (electrical) by converting energy to heat (or some other form of energy).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: proscribed, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
To become damped or deadened.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.