bosom

American  

[booz-uhm, boo-zuhm] / ˈbʊz əm, ˈbu zəm /

noun

• bosoms
  plural

1. the breast of a human being.

2. the breasts of a woman.

3. the part of a garment that covers the breast.

4. the breast, conceived of as the center of feelings or emotions.

   Synonyms:

   affection, heart

5. something likened to the human breast.

   the bosom of the earth.

6. a state of enclosing intimacy; warm closeness.

   the bosom of the family.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or worn on or over the bosom.

2. intimate or confidential.

   a bosom friend.

   Synonyms:

   dear, intimate, close

verb (used with object)

1. to take to the bosom; embrace; cherish.

2. to hide from view; conceal.

bosom British  

/ ˈbʊzəm /

noun

1. the chest or breast of a person, esp the female breasts

2. the part of a woman's dress, coat, etc, that covers the chest

3. a protective centre or part

   the bosom of the family

4. the breast considered as the seat of emotions

5. (modifier) very dear; intimate

   a bosom friend

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verb

1. to embrace

2. to conceal or carry in the bosom

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bosoms
  plural

Etymology

Origin of bosom

before 1000; Middle English; Old English bōs ( u ) m; cognate with Dutch boesem, German Busen

Explanation

The bosom is the breast or chest area of the body. It is also poetically considered to be the place where our feelings reside. Used as a verb or noun, bosom originates from the Old English word bosm, meaning "breast, womb, surface, or ship's hold." It is commonly used as a polite reference to a woman's breasts. Because our bosom (chest) contains our heart, it has also become known as the place where our feelings, intuitions, or secret thoughts are kept. Close friends are sometimes called "bosom buddies."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bosom bosoms

Leaders' successes or failures are rarely based on the perfect plans they often clutch to their bosom on the day they walk into No 10.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026

Our garbage, he’s convinced, “speaks to us,” and in its honesty he finds the relief that keeps him sane in the bosom of squalor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

“And to me, philosophically, that makes sense. I float between desperately wanting stability and wanting glorious freedom. From being at the bosom of my family to being a lone wolf.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2023

The most famous of these, perhaps, is the Greek myth in which Hera pushes away the baby Heracles from her bosom, and her breast milk spills from horizon to horizon.

From Scientific American ● Aug. 4, 2023

With shaking hands Madame Hoo took the Mickey Mouse clock from Turtle and clutched the priceless treasure to her bosom.

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin

"I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal."

From Fox News ● Feb. 21, 2022

Many of us have serious back problems, often undiagnosed, and/or chronic aches and pains that are connected to our bosoms.

From Slate ● Dec. 4, 2020

They hugged me and my jeep driver and pinned French tricolors on us, and left us exhausted, with our bosoms covered with emblems and ribbons.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 23, 2019

And she didn’t make immense contributions to charity or clasp stricken and hungry children to her bosoms, like Angelina Jolie.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 18, 2016

“This is a most unfortunate affair, and will probably be much talked of. But we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the wounded bosoms of each other the balm of sisterly consolation.”

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen