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

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

Adjust duct dampers or add thermal dampers to balance airflow for even heating in your home. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024

Perhaps your boots are starting to feel colder and damper with each passing day. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 7 Dec. 2024

Engineers added custom coil-over dampers and control arms for the best handling, and the steering rack was adjusted for proper fit. —Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 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