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stamp

Pronunciation: /stamp/
Translate stamp | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of stamp

verb

[with object]
  • 1bring down (one’s foot) heavily on the ground or on something on the ground:he stamped his foot in frustration [no object]:he threw his cigarette down and stamped on it figurativeRobertson stamped on all these suggestions
  • [with object and adverbial] crush, flatten, or remove with a heavy blow from one’s foot:she stamped the snow from her boots
  • [no object, with adverbial of direction] walk with heavy, forceful steps:John stamped off, muttering
  • 2impress a pattern or mark on (a surface, object, or document) using an engraved or inked block or die:the woman stamped my passport
  • impress (a pattern or mark) with an engraved or inked block or die:a key with a number stamped on the shaft figurativeit’s one of those records that has ‘classic’ stamped all over it
  • make (something) by cutting it out with a die or mould:the knives are stamped out from a flat strip of steel
  • reveal or mark out as having a particular quality or ability:his style stamps him as a player to watch
  • 3fix a postage stamp or stamps on to (a letter):Annie stamped the envelope for her
  • 4crush or pulverize (ore).

noun

  • 1an instrument for stamping a pattern or mark, in particular an engraved or inked block or die.
  • a mark or pattern made by a stamp, especially one indicating official validation:passports with visa stamps figurativethe emperor gave them his stamp of approval
  • a characteristic or distinctive impression or quality:the whole project has the stamp of authority even the least expensive movie bore the stamp of the studio’s plush style
  • a particular class or type of person or thing:empiricism of this stamp has been especially influential in British philosophy
  • 2a small adhesive piece of paper stuck to something to show that an amount of money has been paid, in particular a postage stamp:a first-class stamp TV licence stamps
  • 3an act or sound of stamping with the foot:the stamp of boots on the bare floor
  • 4a block for crushing ore in a stamp mill.

Phrases

stamp one's authority (or personality or style etc.) on

have a strong or permanent influence on:he must be able to stamp his authority on the team

Phrasal Verbs

stamp something out

  • 1extinguish a fire by stamping on it:he stamped out the flames before they could grow
  • 2suppress or put an end to something by taking decisive action:urgent action is required to stamp out corruption

Derivatives

stamper

noun

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'crush to a powder'): of Germanic origin; related to German stampfen 'stamp with the foot'; reinforced by Old French estamper 'to stamp'. Compare with stomp

stamp in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of stamp in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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