Meaning

• A shallow deformation in the surface of an object, produced by an impact.

  "The crash produced a dent in the left side of the car."

• A type of maize/corn with a relatively soft outer hull, and a soft type of starch that shrinks at maturity to leave an indentation in the surface of the kernel.

• (by extension) A sudden negative change, such as loss, damage, weakening, consumption or diminution, especially one produced by an external force, event or action

  "That purchase put a bit of a dent in my wallet."

Meaning

• To impact something, producing a dent.

• To develop a dent or dents.

  "Copper is soft and dents easily."