What does "stamp" mean?
An act of stamping the foot, paw or hoof.
Stamp
/stæmp/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An act of stamping the foot, paw or hoof.
- Grammar: stamp is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: postage stamp, revenue stamp, seal, stomp.
- Useful contrasts: unstamped, disapproval, erase.
- Usage evidence: Put this stamp on the postcard and drop it in the mailbox.
How to use "stamp"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "stamp" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "stamp" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "stamp" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "stamp" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "stamp" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "postage stamp" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "stamp", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An act of stamping the foot, paw or hoof.
"The horse gave two quick stamps and rose up on its hind legs."
- 2 a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents wordnet
- 3 An indentation, imprint, or mark made by stamping.
"My passport has quite a collection of stamps."
- 4 a block or die used to imprint a mark or design wordnet
- 5 A device for imprinting designs.
"She loved to make designs with her collection of stamps."
Show 13 more definitions
- 6 machine consisting of a heavy bar that moves vertically for pounding or crushing ores wordnet
- 7 A small piece of paper, with a design and a face value, used to prepay postage or other dues such as tax or licence fees.
"I need one first-class stamp to send this letter."
- 8 a small adhesive token stuck on a letter or package to indicate that postal fees have been paid wordnet
- 9 A small piece of paper bearing a design on one side and adhesive on the other, used to decorate letters or craft work.
"These stamps have a Christmas theme."
- 10 a symbol that is the result of printing or engraving wordnet
- 11 A tattoo. figuratively, slang
- 12 a small piece of adhesive paper that is put on an object to show that a government tax has been paid wordnet
- 13 A single dose of lysergic acid diethylamide. slang
- 14 a type or class wordnet
- 15 A kind of heavy pestle, raised by water or steam power, for crushing ores.
- 16 something that can be used as an official medium of payment wordnet
- 17 Cast; form; character; distinguishing mark or sign; evidence.
"the stamp of criminality"
- 18 the distinctive form in which a thing is made wordnet
Verb
- 1 To step quickly and heavily, once or repeatedly. intransitive
"The toddler screamed and stamped, but still got no candy."
- 2 destroy or extinguish as if by stamping with the foot wordnet
- 3 To move (the foot or feet) quickly and heavily, once or repeatedly. transitive
"The crowd cheered and stamped their feet in appreciation."
- 4 treat or classify according to a mental stereotype wordnet
- 5 To strike, beat, or press forcibly with the bottom of the foot, or by thrusting the foot downward. transitive
"Vnder my feet I stampe thy Cardinalls Hat:"
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 to mark, or produce an imprint in or on something wordnet
- 7 To mark by pressing quickly and heavily. transitive
"This machine stamps the metal cover with a design."
- 8 affix a stamp to wordnet
- 9 To give an official marking to, generally by impressing or imprinting a design or symbol. transitive
"The immigration officer stamped my passport."
- 10 raise in a relief wordnet
- 11 To apply postage stamps to. transitive
"I forgot to stamp this letter."
- 12 crush or grind with a heavy instrument wordnet
- 13 To mark; to impress. figuratively, transitive
", Book IV, Chapter X God […] has stamped no original characters on our minds wherein we may read his being."
- 14 form or cut out with a mold, form, or die wordnet
- 15 walk heavily wordnet
- 16 reveal clearly as having a certain character wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Put this stamp on the postcard and drop it in the mailbox."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "stamp"?
Common synonyms include: postage stamp, revenue stamp, seal, stomp, abolish, acceptance.
How do you use "stamp" in a sentence?
Put this stamp on the postcard and drop it in the mailbox.
How do you pronounce "stamp"?
Pronounced /stæmp/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English stampen (“to pound, crush”), from assumed Old English *stampian, variant of Old English stempan (“to crush, pound, pound in mortar, stamp”), from Proto-West Germanic *stampōn, *stampijan, from Proto-Germanic *stampōną, *stampijaną (“to trample, beat”), from Proto-Indo-European *stemb- (“to trample down”). Cognate with Dutch stampen (“to stamp, pitch”), German stampfen (“to stamp”), Danish stampe (“to stamp”), Swedish stampa (“to stomp”), Occitan estampar, Polish stąpać (“to step, treat”). See also stomp, step. Marks indicating that postage had been paid were originally made by stamping the item to be mailed; when affixed pieces of paper were introduced for this purpose, the term “stamp” was transferred to cover this new form.
Etymology 2
* As an English surname, variant of Stamps, habitational surname of Norman origin from Estampes, earlier name of Étampes. * As a German surname, from Middle Low German stampen (“to crush, pestle”), from Old Saxon *stampōn, from Proto-West Germanic *stampōn, from Proto-Germanic *stampōną.