n. A mole, bank, or mound of earth, or a wall, or a frame of wood, constructed across a stream of water to obstruct its flow and thus raise its level, in order to make it available as a motive power, as for driving a mill-wheel; such an obstruction built for any purpose, as to form a reservoir, to protect a tract of land from overflow, etc.; in law, an artificial boundary or means of confinement of running water, or of water which would otherwise flow away.n. In mining, any underground wall or stopping, constructed of masonry, clay, or timber, for the purpose of holding back water, air, or gas.n. In dentistry, a guard of soft rubber placed round a tooth to keep it free from saliva while being prepared for filling.n. The body of water confined by a dam.To obstruct or restrain the flow of by a dam; confine or raise the level of by constructing a dam, as a stream of water: often with in, up.To confine or restrain as if with a dam; stop or shut up or in; obstruct: with up.n. A female parent: used of beasts, particularly of quadrupeds, and sometimes (now usually in a slighting sense) of women.n. A crowned man in the game of draughts or checkers.n. A fire-brick wall forming the front of the hearth or crucible of a blast-furnace, through which the tap-hole is formed.