dam up

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To build a dam on, thus restricting the flow.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

to dam up a lake

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “dam up” mean?

To build a dam on, thus restricting the flow.

Is “dam up” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.