seam

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: the joining of two pieces (as of cloth or leather) by sewing usually near the edge
b
: the stitching used in such a joining
2
: the space between adjacent planks or strakes of a ship
3
a
: a line, groove, or ridge formed by the abutment of edges
b
: a thin layer or stratum (as of rock) between distinctive layers
also : a bed of valuable mineral and especially coal irrespective of thickness
c
: a line left by a cut or wound
also : wrinkle
4
: a weak or vulnerable area or gap
found a seam in the zone defense
seamlike adjective

seam

2 of 2

verb

seamed; seaming; seams

transitive verb

1
a
: to join by sewing
b
: to join as if by sewing (as by welding, riveting, or heat-sealing)
2
: to mark with lines suggesting seams

intransitive verb

: to become fissured or ridgy
seamer noun
Phrases
at the seams
: entirely, completely
falling apart at the seams

Examples of seam in a Sentence

Noun the seams of a dress the seams of a boat a rich seam of iron ore Verb in fencing circles it is a mark of honor to have one's face seamed with saber cuts
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Another problem is that the city’s metro system is bursting at the seams. Catherine Porter, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 The Flyers had the extra attacker on when Tippett charged toward the net and redirected a perfect Travis Konecny seam pass past goalie Magnus Chrona at the 5:09 mark of the third period. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 One of Librae’s most popular (and photographed) pastries is a croissant that splits at the seam to reveal a rich frangipane perfumed with pistachio and rose. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 13 Mar. 2024 Danner added minimal seams and lined it with its signature Danner Dry waterproof material, which keeps moisture out, but still allows your feet to breathe. Lauren Mazzo, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2024 As inflation pulls at the seams of the average American’s household budget, consumers have become more cost-conscious in an effort to stay financially afloat. Tom Treanor, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Live bed bugs in the seams, piping and folds of your mattress. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 In just the last month, however, their Portuguese Bend home has started shifting under stress from intensifying land movement: Cracks have snaked up their walls, cupboards can no longer close, doorways have split at the seams and brick pavers are separating. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2024 The high-voltage battery module may contain insufficient weld seams, which can result in the battery overheating, and increasing the risk of a fire, NHTSA said. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024
Verb
For tree trunk, seam 4 widths 3½ x 36 inches of light green burlap together, forming two strips 72 inches long. Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2023 The equally sheer skirt featured a little seaming detail and a short slit. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2023 This historical and anthropological deep dive teaches us that migration has, of necessity, brought about a rupture with the past, yet the ancient Jewish ways have indelibly seamed through newer Indian ones to create a hybrid cuisine. Meher Mirza, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2023 All day every day at every hour men and women, children, wheeled into a world that is not the world but more so, to seam themselves to machines from which the healing bane drips. Christian Wiman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023 There was no native population, and those who had successfully navigated the treacherous journey there found fjords teeming with baleen whales and mountains seamed with coal. Taymour Soomro Scott Conarroe, New York Times, 10 May 2023 Roll up and place, seam sidea down, in prepared pan. Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 2 May 2023 Selectors, instead, stuck with aging David Warner, who has been in a form rut stretching several years and sports a mediocre record on the seaming wickets of the U.K, and Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Harris - batters with middling Test returns. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023 Pitching is a brotherhood; teammates and even opponents routinely compare grips and share tips on finger pressure, seam orientation and so on. Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seam.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English seem, from Old English sēam; akin to Old English sīwian to sew — more at sew

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of seam was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near seam

Cite this Entry

“Seam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seam. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

seam

1 of 2 noun
1
: the fold, line, or groove made by sewing together or joining two edges or two pieces
the seams of a dress
the seams of a boat
2
a
: a raised or sunken line : groove, furrow, wrinkle
b
: a layer (as of rock) between clearly different layers
coal seams
seamless
-ləs
adjective

seam

2 of 2 verb
1
: to join with a seam
2
: to mark with a line, scar, or wrinkle
creeks seam the valley
a face seamed with age

More from Merriam-Webster on seam

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