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stamp

n. · v.
US //ˈstæmp// UK //stˈæmp// stamp
  1. 1 postage (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a small piece of paper you stick on an envelope to show you paid for delivery.

    a small adhesive piece of paper issued by a postal authority to indicate prepayment of postage.

    Example

    Don't forget to put a stamp on the envelope before you drop it in the mailbox.

    Example

    The collector spent years searching for a rare Victorian stamp that featured a unique printing error on the queen's profile.
    • postage stamp
  2. 2 imprinting tool (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a tool used to press a design or words onto a surface, often using ink.

    an instrument or die used for imprinting a design, mark, or lettering onto a surface.

    Example

    The office worker used a rubber stamp to mark the documents as 'received'.

    Example

    The notary applied his official stamp to the contract, verifying that the signatures were authentic and legally binding.
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  1. 3 foot movement (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of bringing your foot down hard and noisily on the ground.

    a forceful downward thrust of the foot against the ground or another surface.

    Example

    With a loud stamp of his foot, the child showed how angry he was.

    Example

    The dancer finished the routine with a rhythmic stamp that echoed through the silent theatre.
  2. 4 to step heavily (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to bring your foot down hard on the ground, often because you are angry or cold.

    to strike or beat the ground with the bottom of the foot, often repeatedly or with great force.

    Example

    The hikers had to stamp their feet to get the snow off their boots.

    Example

    Protesters began to stamp their feet in unison, creating a thunderous noise that could be heard blocks away from the square.
  3. 5 to mark or print (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to press a mark or pattern onto something using a tool.

    to impress or imprint a mark, design, or lettering onto a surface using a specialized tool.

    Example

    The passport officer will stamp your book when you enter the country.

    Example

    The factory machine can stamp the company logo onto thousands of metal parts every hour.
  4. 6 tattoo (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

    a slang word for a tattoo on someone's skin.

    a slang term for a permanent mark or design made on the skin with ink.

    Example

    He got a new stamp on his arm to celebrate his graduation.

    Example

    She decided to get a small floral stamp on her ankle while she was travelling through Europe.
Origin

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.

Idioms1 entry

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