1 [noncount] : physical harm that is done to something or to someone's body ▪ The items were carefully wrapped to protect them from damage during shipping. ▪ The city sustained heavy damage during the war. ▪ water/sun/frost damage = damage caused by water/sun/frost ▪ Fortunately the boat suffered no serious damage in the storm. ▪ The fall caused/did considerable/extensive/severe damage to her knee. ▪ The disease is known to cause permanent/irreversible brain/liver/kidney damage. ▪ Few people were hurt during the storm, but property damage was great. [=many houses, cars, etc., were damaged or ruined] —see also collateral damage
2 [noncount] : emotional harm that is done to someone ▪ Traumatic events can cause serious psychological damage. [=can make someone mentally or emotionally unhealthy]
3 [noncount] : problems that are caused by a mistake, wrong action, etc. : bad or harmful effects on a situation, a person's reputation, etc. ▪ The scandal caused significant damage to her career. ▪ You've said enough. Please leave before you do any more damage. ▪ He tried to repair the damage by apologizing, but it was too late. ▪ He apologized, but the damage was already done.
4 damages [plural] law : an amount of money that a court requires you to pay to someone you have treated unfairly or hurt in some way ▪ The judge awarded her $5,000 in damages. [=the judge said that the people who hurt her must pay her $5,000] —sometimes used in the form damage before another noun ▪ She won a $5,000 damage award.
5 the damage informal : the amount of money that something costs ▪ “What's the damage?” he asked the mechanic.