# dum

/ˈdəm/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dum
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a type of slow-cooking where you seal a pot with dough to keep the steam and flavors inside. It is a traditional way to make very soft and tasty meat or rice dishes.

For teachers: a traditional South Asian technique of slow-cooking in a heavy-bottomed, sealed vessel. The method relies on trapped steam to tenderise ingredients and infuse them with spices.

## Examples

- The chef prepares the chicken biryani using the traditional dum method.
- By sealing the pot with a ring of dough, the cook ensures the dum process keeps the moisture from escaping.
- The restaurant is famous for its authentic mutton curry, which is cooked on a low flame under dum for several hours to achieve a melt-in-the-mouth texture.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the phrase 'on dum' or as a modifier in dish names like 'Dum Aloo' or 'Dum Biryani'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.