Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - dent

~1 n 1 a hollow area in the surface of something, usually made by something hitting it + in  (There was a dent in the door where he'd kicked it.) 2 a reduction in the amount of something, especially money or supplies  (The trip made a big dent in our savings.) ~2 v 1 to make a hollow area in the surface of something, usually by hitting it  (I'm afraid I've dented the car.) 2 to damage or harm something  (Diesel sales have been badly dented by environmental concerns.)