German word

Damm

Pronunciation

IPA/dam/

Meaning

  • masculine noundike

Example

Die Dämme schützen das Dorf vor dem Hochwasser.

The dikes protect the village from flooding.

Illustration for Damm (dike)

More examples

Bei Hochwasser mussten sie den Damm sichern.

During the flooding, they had to secure the embankment.

Core concept

A raised wall of earth, stone, or concrete holds back water and protects lower land.

Common phrases

  • am Damm spazieren gehen

    go for a walk along the embankment

  • den Damm sichern

    secure the embankment

  • den Damm unterhalten

    maintain the embankment

Similar words

Deich: A high coastal bank designed to prevent flooding from tides and waves.
Ufer: A natural shore beside a river or lake.

Definition in German

Ein Damm ist ein Bauwerk oder eine aufgeschüttete Böschung aus Erde, Stein oder Beton, das Wasser staut und tiefer liegende Flächen vor Hochwasser schützt.

Word origin

Damm is an inherited Germanic word related to English dam and Dutch dam, with the same basic water-control sense.

Usage tips

  • Damm is masculine, so its definite article is der and its plural is Dämme.

Other meanings

  • embankmentnoun

Related words

  • Dammbauembankment constructionnoun
  • Dammschutzembankment protectionnoun
  • dämmenimpoundverb

Word lists with this word