stamp

1 of 2

verb

ˈstamp

transitive sense 2a & intransitive sense 2 are also ˈstämp,

or ˈstȯmp

stamped; stamping; stamps

transitive verb

: to pound or crush with a pestle or a heavy instrument

a(1)

: to strike or beat forcibly with the bottom of the foot

(2)

: to bring down (the foot) forcibly

: to extinguish or destroy by or as if by stamping with the foot

—usually used with out

stamp out cancer

: impress, imprint

stamp "paid" on the bill

: to attach a stamp to

: to cut out, bend, or form with a stamp or die

: to provide with a distinctive character

stamped with a dreary, institutionalized look

Bernard Taper

: characterize

stamped as honest women

W. M. Thackeray

intransitive verb

: pound sense 1

: to strike the foot forcibly or noisily downward

stamp

2 of 2

noun

: a device or instrument for stamping

: the impression or mark made by stamping or imprinting

: a distinctive character, indication, or mark

: a lasting imprint

: the act of stamping

: a stamped or printed paper affixed in evidence that a tax has been paid

also : postage stamp

stampless adjective

Example Sentences

Verb He stamped his foot in anger. He stamped out of the room. She stamped the bill “paid.” Noun There was a stamp on the letter showing the date when it was received. a stamp left in the mud by some prehistoric beast

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Charles V eventually beat back the Schmalkaldic League but failed to stamp out Protestantism in Germany—or in France.

Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 Nov. 2022 China is still using daily testing, social distancing, masks, and lockdowns to stamp out COVID infections—in stark contrast to the lax restrictions in Qatar and elsewhere.

Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2022 The literal one: The Duttons stamp it on their cattle, as well as on some of their cowboys.

Sridhar Pappu, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2022 Lastly, Booker finding teammates and them delivering will further stamp his superstar passport.

Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 17 Oct. 2022 Add a mix of spices and herbs, like parsley and garlic powder, stamp it with your initials, and then leave the cheese for aging—a two-month process that takes place in Vaca Negra’s cheese cellar.

Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 July 2022 For over a decade, Pakistani authorities have sought to stamp out the militants hostile to the Pakistani state in Afghanistan’s borderlands, sporadically hitting the area with artillery that have killed a handful of civilians each year.

New York Times, 30 Apr. 2022 China’s southern metropolis of Guangzhou has locked down a second district, as authorities rush to stamp out a widening Covid outbreak and avoid activating the kind of citywide lockdown that devastated Shanghai earlier this year.

Nectar Gan, CNN, 9 Nov. 2022 The Cowboys sacked Stafford five times and forced the beleaguered Rams quarterback into three turnovers – an interception, plus two fumbles – to stamp the effort.

Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2022

Noun

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has given the final stamp of approval for four dams along the lower Klamath River to be removed, reinstating access to more than 300 miles of habitat for salmon and improving water quality.

Bykayna Whitworth And Alyssa Pone, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2022 Swift has given the documentary her stamp of approval.

Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2022 Even pet owners have given it their stamp of approval.

Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 2 Nov. 2022 Sigourney Weaver has given her stamp of approval to Selena Gomez's Working Girl reboot.

Jessica Wang, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2022 The items came from Namath’s attorney, James C. Walsh, and have been given a stamp of authenticity by Beckett Authentication Services.

Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 7 Aug. 2022 Elvis' ex-wife and mother to his children, Priscilla Presley, officially given the movie her stamp of approval.

Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 31 May 2022 Butler walked the red carpet with Presley's ex-wife Priscilla Presley, who has given the stamp of approval of the film, and there was an emotional, 12-minute standing ovation after the movie's premiere.

Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 26 May 2022 The former President has not given his stamp of approval to any candidate in the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Rob Portman.

Eric Bradner, CNN, 9 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stamp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English; akin to Old High German stampfōn to stamp and perhaps to Greek stembein to shake up

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of stamp was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stamp. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

stamp

1 of 2 verb

ˈstamp

senses 1b & 2 are also ˈstämp,

or ˈstȯmp

: to pound or crush with a heavy instrument

: to strike or beat forcibly with the bottom of the foot

: to put an end to or destroy by or as if by stamping with the foot

: to walk heavily or noisily

: impress entry 1 sense 1, imprint

stamp the bill "paid"

: to attach a stamp to

stamp a letter

: to form with a stamp or die

: characterize sense 1

stamped as reliable workers

stamper noun

stamp

2 of 2 noun

: a device or instrument for stamping

: the mark made by stamping

: a sign of a special quality

a stamp of genius

: the act of stamping

: a stamped or printed paper attached to something to show that a tax or fee has been paid

: postage stamp

Legal Definition

stamp

noun

: an official mark or seal set on something (as a deed) chargeable with a government or state duty or tax or on papers requiring execution under certain conditions to signify that the duty or tax has been paid or the condition fulfilled

especially : revenue stamp