besom

[ bee-zuhm ]
See synonyms for besom on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a broom, especially one of brush or twigs.

Origin of besom

1
before 1000; Middle English besem,Old English bes(e)ma; cognate with Dutch bezem,German Besen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use besom in a sentence

  • She's dying for love of all the beautiful things you won't let her have—pots and pans and carpet-sweepers and besoms.

    The Creators | May Sinclair
  • A new idea seemed to strike her; and she abruptly asked the farmers if either or both missed any of their besoms or riddles.

  • If these besoms were known to the brushmakers in town, it is probable they might come much in use for the purpose above mentioned.

  • My young friend, a man may glorify God making broom besoms; stick to your trade, and glorify God by your walk and conversation.

    Spare Hours | John Brown
  • Dr. Kuhn says in several parts of Westphalia, at Shrovetide, cows' horns are decorated with white besoms with white handles.

British Dictionary definitions for besom (1 of 2)

besom1

/ (ˈbiːzəm) /


noun
  1. a broom, esp one made of a bundle of twigs tied to a handle

  2. curling a broom or brush used to sweep the ice in front of the stone to make it slide farther

verb(tr)
  1. to sweep with a besom

Origin of besom

1
Old English besma; related to Old High German besmo broom

British Dictionary definitions for besom (2 of 2)

besom2

/ (ˈbɪzəm, ˈbizəm) /


noun
  1. Scot and Northern English dialect a derogatory term for a woman

Origin of besom

2
perhaps from Old English bysen example; related to Old Norse bysn wonder

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012