/ stæmp; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
ON LETTER / PACKAGE
1.
(also formal ˈpostage stamp ) [ C ] a small piece of paper with a design on it that you buy and stick on an envelope or a package before you post it :
a 28p stamp
Could I have three first-class stamps, please?
He has been collecting stamps since he was eight.
a stamp album
PRINTING TOOL
2.
[ C ] a tool for printing the date or a design or mark onto a surface :
a date stamp
—see also rubber stamp
PRINTED DESIGN / WORDS
3.
[ C ] a design or words made by stamping sth onto a surface :
The passports, with the visa stamps, were waiting at the embassy.
( figurative )
The project has the government's stamp of approval .
PROOF OF PAYMENT
4.
[ C ] a small piece of paper with a design on it, stuck on a document to show that a particular amount of money has been paid :
a TV licence stamp
CHARACTER / QUALITY
5.
[ sing. ] stamp (of sth) ( formal ) the mark or sign of a particular quality or person :
All his work bears the stamp of authority.
6.
[ sing. ] ( formal ) a kind or class, especially of people :
men of a different stamp
OF FOOT
7.
[ sing. ] an act or sound of stamping the foot :
The stamp of hoofs alerted Isabel.
■ verb
FOOT
1.
to put your foot down heavily and noisily on the ground :
[ vn ]
I tried stamping my feet to keep warm.
Sam stamped his foot in anger.
[ v ]
The audience were stamping and cheering.
WALK
2.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to walk with loud heavy steps
SYN stomp :
She turned and stamped out of the room.
PRINT DESIGN / WORDS
3.
[ vn ] [ often passive ] stamp A on B | stamp B (with A) to print letters, words, a design, etc. onto sth using a special tool :
I'll stamp the company name on your cheque.
Wait here to have your passport stamped.
The maker's name was stamped in gold on the box.
The box was stamped with the maker's name.
—see also rubber-stamp , stamp sth on sth
SHOW FEELING / QUALITY
4.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] to make a feeling show clearly on sb's face, in their actions, etc. :
Their faces were stamped with hostility.
The crime had revenge stamped all over it.
5.
[ vn ] stamp sb as sth to show that sb has a particular quality :
Her success has stamped her as one of the country's top riders.
ON LETTER / PACKAGE
6.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] to stick a stamp on a letter or package
CUT OUT OBJECT
7.
[ vn ] stamp sth (out) (of / from sth) to cut and shape an object from a piece of metal or plastic using a special machine or tool
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PHRASAL VERBS
- stamp on sth
- stamp sth on sth
- stamp sth out
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense crush to a powder ): of Germanic origin; related to German stampfen stamp with the foot; reinforced by Old French estamper to stamp. Compare with stomp .