Definition of "deafen" [deaf•en]

• To make deaf, especially momentarily by a loud noise. (verb-transitive)
• To make soundproof. (verb-transitive)
• To cause permanent or momentary deafness. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "It was incredible and made me ponder what it would have been like in pre-colonial days when flocks of birds could effectively block the sun out or the sound of hundreds of thousands (more?) birds nesting could deafen a person ..."
• "I am also hoping to see acceptance of sound suppressors in the U.S. so we don't have to deafen ourselves or our dogs."
• "And then I take a deep breath; deafen myself to the whining, blind myself to the mess and gather up my kids and our things."