rubber stamp

US: (rub′ər stamp′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈrub•ber ˈstamp, n. [countable]

1. a device with a rubber printing surface that is coated with ink by pressing it on an ink pad, used for imprinting names, etc.
2. a government agency, etc., that gives approval automatically or routinely.

ˈrub•ber-ˈstamp,¹ v. [~ + object]

1. to give automatic approval to:
   The agency rubber-stamped his application.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rub′ber stamp′, 

1. a device with a rubber printing surface that becomes coated with ink by being pressed on an ink-saturated pad, used for imprinting dates, addresses, standard designations or notices, etc., by hand.
2. a person or government agency that gives approval automatically or routinely.
3. such approval.
• 1885–90

rub•ber-stamp  (rub′ər stamp′), v.t. 

1. to imprint with a rubber stamp.
2. to give approval automatically or without consideration:
   to rubber-stamp the president's proposals.

adj. 

3. tending to give approval automatically or without due consideration:
   a rubber-stamp Congress that passed all the president's bills.

• verb, verbal use of rubber stamp 1915–20

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rubber stamp noun

1. a device used for imprinting dates or commonly used phrases on forms, invoices, etc
2. automatic authorization of a payment, proposal, etc, without challenge
3. a person who makes such automatic authorizations; a cipher or person of little account

verb rubber-stamp (transitive)

1. to imprint (forms, invoices, etc) with a rubber stamp
2. to approve automatically