date stamp
C1Business, Administrative, Technical, Everyday
Definition
Meaning
A physical or digital mark showing the date something was made, processed, or received.
As a verb: to mark or record a date on a document or object; more generally, to assign or fix something to a specific point in time.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A compound noun (and phrasal verb) where 'date' modifies 'stamp', specifying the type of stamp. The verb can be hyphenated ('date-stamp') or written as two words. It often implies an official or formal recording of time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical. Hyphenation in the verb form ('date-stamp') is slightly more common in British style guides, but both regions use open and hyphenated forms.
Connotations
Neutral connotation of administrative procedure or verification in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English in official/administrative contexts, but the difference is minimal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] date-stamp [NP][NP] be date-stamped [with NP][NP] have a date stamp [of NP]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Set in stone (similar permanence implied by a formal date stamp)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Crucial for tracking contracts, invoices, and correspondence. 'All incoming mail must be date-stamped upon receipt.'
Academic
Used in referencing and archival work. 'The library date-stamps all borrowed books.'
Everyday
Associated with postal services, food packaging, or personal document organisation. 'Check the date stamp on the milk carton.'
Technical
Refers to metadata in computing and digital file systems. 'The file's date stamp shows when it was last modified.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The clerk will date-stamp your application form before filing it.
- All confidential documents are date-stamped upon creation.
American English
- Make sure to date stamp the invoice when you receive it.
- The system automatically date-stamps every digital transaction.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Look for the date stamp on the food package.
- The letter has a date stamp from the post office.
- I need to date-stamp these papers.
- Without an official date stamp, the contract's validity is difficult to prove.
- The software adds a digital date stamp to all exported files.
- The archival process requires each item to be meticulously catalogued and date-stamped.
- The metadata's date stamp was found to have been altered, compromising the evidence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a STAMP that leaves an impression of the DATE instead of a picture or logo.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A MARK (Imprinting a date is making a permanent mark of a moment in time).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'штамп свидания' (which would mean 'stamp for a romantic date').
- Do not confuse with 'печать' (seal) alone; it specifically includes the date.
- The verb is best translated as 'проштамповать датой' or 'поставить дату'.
Common Mistakes
- Writing as one word: 'datestamp' (less standard).
- Using 'date stamp' as a verb without hyphen where it causes confusion: 'Please date stamp this' is acceptable, but 'date-stamp' is clearer.
- Confusing with 'postmark', which is specifically postal.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'date stamp' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun, it is standardly written as two words ('date stamp'). As a verb, it is often hyphenated ('date-stamp') for clarity, but the open form is also acceptable.
'Date stamp' typically shows only the calendar date (day, month, year). 'Timestamp' is more precise and digital, usually including the exact time (hours, minutes, seconds) alongside the date.
Yes. 'To date-stamp something' means to imprint or record the current date on it (e.g., 'Date-stamp these files before archiving them').
Yes, a postmark is a specific type of date stamp applied by postal authorities, showing the date and location of mailing.