Plain English Meaning
A wobble or swing that gets smaller with each cycle and eventually stops on its own.
Full Definition
A back-and-forth motion whose amplitude decreases over time until it returns to rest, because energy is gradually removed from the system by friction, drag, or some other resistance.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft structures, landing gear, flight controls, and vibration discussions when a part moves back and forth and then settles down.
Derivation
From the verb 'damp,' which originally meant to smother or stifle (as in damping a fire). Here it means reducing the strength of a motion. So a damped oscillation is one whose swings are being progressively stifled.