Definition of 'stamp'

Word Frequency

stamp

(stæmp )

Word forms: stamps, stamping, stamped

1. countable noun

A stamp or a postage stamp is a small piece of paper which you lick and stick on an envelope or package before you mail it to pay for the cost of the postage.

...a book of stamps.

As of February 3rd, the price of a first class stamp will go up to 29 cents.

2. countable noun

A stamp is a small block of wood or metal which has a pattern or a group of letters on one side. You press it onto an pad of ink and then onto a piece of paper in order to produce a mark on the paper. The mark that you produce is also called a stamp.

...a date stamp and an ink pad.

3. transitive verb

If you stamp a mark or word on an object, you press the mark or word onto the object using a stamp or other device.

Car manufacturers stamp a vehicle identification number at several places on new cars to help track down stolen vehicles.

4. transitive verb/intransitive verb

If you stamp or stamp your foot, you lift your foot and put it down very hard on the ground, for example because you are angry or because your feet are cold.

Often he teased me till my temper went and I stamped and screamed, feeling furiously helpless.

His foot stamped down on the accelerator.

5. intransitive verb

If you stamp somewhere, you walk there putting your feet down very hard on the ground because you are angry.

"I'm going before things get any worse!" he shouted as he stamped out of the bedroom.

6. intransitive verb

If you stamp on something, you put your foot down on it very hard.

He received the original ban last week after stamping on the referee's foot during the final.

7. singular noun

If something bears the stamp of a particular quality or person, it clearly has that quality or was done by that person.

Most of us want to make our home a familiar place and put the stamp of our personality on its walls.

8. See also rubber stamp

Phrasal verbs:

stamp out

Video: pronunciation of 'stamp'

Word Frequency

stamp in American

(stæmp ; stamp)

verb transitive

to bring (the foot) down forcibly on the ground, a floor, etc.

to strike down on forcibly with the foot

to stamp the floor in anger

to beat, crush, etc. in a specified way by treading on heavily

to stamp the grass down to the earth

to remove by stamping the foot or feet

to stamp the snow from one's boots

to pulverize (ore, etc.) by grinding or crushing

to imprint or cut out (a mark, design, lettering, etc.) by bringing a form forcibly against a material

to stamp initials in leather

to cut out, form, or make as by applying a die to metal

often with out

to stamp auto bodies

to impress, mark, or imprint with some design, characters, etc., as to decorate or to show authenticity, ownership, sanction, or the like

to impress or mark distinctly or indelibly

the incident was stamped in her memory

to put an official seal or a stamp on (a document, letter, etc.)

to characterize or reveal distinctly, as if by imprinting

the courage that stamped him as a hero

verb intransitive

to bring the foot down forcibly on the ground, a floor, etc.

to walk with loud, heavy steps, as in anger, etc.

noun

10.

the act of stamping

11.

a machine, tool, etc. used for stamping or crushing ore, etc.

12.

any tool or implement, as a die, used by being forcibly brought against something to mark or shape it

a mark or form made by such a tool or implement

13.

a mark, seal, impression, etc. used to show officially that a tax has been paid, authority given, etc.

14.

a small piece of paper, distinctively imprinted on the face and usually gummed on the back, issued by a government for a specified price and required to be affixed to a letter, parcel, document, commodity subject to duty, etc. as evidence that the prescribed fee, as for carrying mail, has been paid

any piece of paper similar to a stamp, issued by an organization, business firm, etc.

trading stamps

15.

any characteristic sign or impression; indication

the stamp of truth

16.

character; kind; class; type

Idioms:

stamp out

Word origin of 'stamp'

ME stampen, akin to OHG stampfon < Gmc *stampon, *stampjan, to press to pieces < IE *stembh-, to crush < base *steb(h)-, a post, pole > staff2, step, stump

Word Frequency

stamp in British

(stæmp )

verb

1. (when intr, often foll by on)

to bring (the foot) down heavily (on the ground, etc)

2. (intransitive)

to walk with heavy or noisy footsteps

3. (intransitive; foll by on)

to repress, extinguish, or eradicate

he stamped on any criticism

4. (transitive)

to impress or mark (a particular device or sign) on (something)

to mark (something) with an official impress, seal, or device

to stamp a passport

6. (transitive)

to fix or impress permanently

the date was stamped on her memory

7. (transitive)

to affix a postage stamp to

8. (transitive)

to distinguish or reveal

that behaviour stamps him as a cheat

to pound or crush (ores, etc)

noun

10.

the act or an instance of stamping

11.

a. postage stamp

a mark applied to postage stamps for cancellation purposes

12.

a similar piece of gummed paper used for commercial or trading purposes

13.

a block, die, etc, used for imprinting a design or device

14.

a design, device, or mark that has been stamped

15.

a characteristic feature or trait; hallmark

the story had the stamp of authenticity

16.

a piece of gummed paper or other mark applied to official documents to indicate payment of a fee, validity, ownership, etc

17. British informal

a national insurance contribution, formerly recorded by means of a stamp on an official card

18.

type or class

we want to employ men of his stamp

19.

an instrument or machine for crushing or pounding ores, etc, or the pestle in such a device

Derived forms

stamper (ˈstamper)

noun

Word origin of 'stamp'

Old English stampe; related to Old High German stampfōn to stamp, Old Norse stappa

Example sentences containing 'stamp'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

You simply cannot treat old people like postage stamps. Times, Sunday Times (2009)It is a stamp of official approval. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Your accent did not stamp your class. Times, Sunday Times (2013)We should stamp hard on any attempt to change that. The Sun (2008)The bands were stamped with ink to keep count of services rendered. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Does he want to stamp out elitism or promote excellence? Times, Sunday Times (2009)There are few stamps of authenticity more profound than the voice of the subject. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Has put his stamp on the squad. The Sun (2012)Yet all of them bear the unique stamp of his personality. The Times Literary Supplement (2011)The quality of the stamps is also a matter of dispute. Times, Sunday Times (2006)You have to queue for hours to obtain official stamps before booking into a hotel. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Use it at certain local shops and they will stamp a card you are given. The Sun (2010)Caught up in stamp scandal and grounded. The Sun (2012)Everyone knows that postage stamp issues are sensitive. Times, Sunday Times (2010)He wanted to put his stamp on things straight away. The Sun (2016)He has class stamped all over him. The Sun (2011)To serve anybody who is clearly drunk is an offence and should be stamped on hard. The Sun (2009)It was a relief and rather an anticlimax when the yawning official stamped my passport without a single glance at my stuff. Eric Newby A BOOK OF LANDS AND PEOPLES (2003) Place the cut-out stamps on the hair and spray them individually in contrasting colours. The Sun (2014)The hall erupts with thunderous clapping, cheering and foot stamping. Times, Sunday Times (2006)National identities are examined in this display of banknotes, stamps and medals produced for the continent over the century. Times, Sunday Times (2010)