damper

noun

damp·​er ˈdam-pər 

1

: a dulling or deadening influence

put a damper on the celebration

2

: a device that damps: such as

a

: a valve or plate (as in the flue of a furnace) for regulating the draft

b

: a small felted block to stop the vibration of a piano string

c

chiefly British : shock absorber

3

Australia : a simple usually unleavened bread of a kind made originally in the Australian bush

Synonyms

• mute

Examples of damper in a Sentence

the pianist used the damper pedal on the piano for the quiet passages

Recent Examples on the Web

Somehow, the firmer springs pair with the shock dampers to glue the car to the ground, providing a more stable platform that absorbs reverberations even better than the supposedly more comfortable Tour. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

The Competition Package returned, leaving power the same as stock but enhancing handling through sharper dampers, a lower height, and a less-restrictive stability control system. —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 3 Dec. 2024

The couple said inflation, the economy and general uncertainty seem to be putting a slight damper on some shoppers but overall things are positive. —Democrat-Gazette Staff and Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 30 Nov. 2024

Look around the chimney for any cracks or potential issues, and make sure that the damper and chimney cap are functioning properly. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing damper

• put a damper on

Kids Definition

damper

noun

damp·​er ˈdam-pər 

: one that damps : as

a

: a valve or plate (as in the flue of a furnace) for regulating the draft

b

: a device (as one of the felt-covered pieces of wood in a piano) used to deaden vibrations or oscillations

c

: a dulling or deadening influence

put a damper on the celebration