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
Examples of damper in a Sentence
the pianist used the damper pedal on the piano for the quiet passages
Recent Examples on the Web
Julie Heckman says high humidity can literally put a damper on fireworks shows.
—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
28 June 2026
But the fact that Apple was forced to raise prices—despite its famous supply chain prowess and its massive purchasing power, not to mention the potential damper on demand—sent a shockwave through the global markets.
—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
28 June 2026
Spain's 1-0 win on Friday night perhaps put a damper on a couple of teams' World Cup plans.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 2026
However, challenges with kids or romantic partners might put a damper on your mood.
—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for damper
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Bill Chappell,
NPR,
28 June 2026
But the fact that Apple was forced to raise prices—despite its famous supply chain prowess and its massive purchasing power, not to mention the potential damper on demand—sent a shockwave through the global markets.
—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
28 June 2026
Spain's 1-0 win on Friday night perhaps put a damper on a couple of teams' World Cup plans.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 2026
However, challenges with kids or romantic partners might put a damper on your mood.
—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for damper
Cite this Entry
“Damper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damper. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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