tom
noun
the male of various animals, as the turkey.
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tom
1 American
[tom]
/ tɒm /
noun
-
toms
plural
-
the male of various animals, as the turkey.
-
a tomcat.
Tom
2
American
[tom]
/ tɒm /
ToM
3
American
Or
TOM
abbreviation
tom
1
British
/ tɒm /
noun
tom
2
British
/ tɒm /
noun
Tom
Idioms
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of tom
First recorded in 1755–65; generic use of the male given name Tom
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It also shines in fish stews and soups of all kinds, from cacciucco to tom kha gai to cioppino or caldeirada.
From Salon ● Apr. 3, 2025
The sheer deliciousness of the red-orange-oil-slicked tom yum version — with huge wild-caught Gulf shrimp and just-right spice — makes sense now, knowing the Lertsirisins’ story.
From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2024
Tiravanija’s early relational pieces — offering curry and tom ka soup, sodas and beers, grass mats and pillows for weary visitors — appeared as museums increasingly promoted the politics of multiculturalism.
From New York Times ● Dec. 21, 2023
Bush offered a public assurance, saying, “this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table.”
From Washington Times ● Nov. 21, 2023
Her tunic was overlarge, tom at the hem, and her eyes were bloodshot.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
Does anyone know if Tom Brady likes pit beef and/or crab cakes?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
The entrance of the dingy space includes a display of “Faces of South Texas,” which includes Selena, Nolan Ryan, Tom Landry, and some war heroes.
From Slate ● Nov. 2, 2026
"I just waited because I didn't know that anything had happened and then Tom Jones started talking," McHugh said.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
Tom Hanks reprised his role as David S. Pumpkins in the Oct.
From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2026
It would be like me calling myself Tom Bender.
From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott
The ideal situation, therefore, would be to relish and use both our full ToM as well as our ability to deny reality, allowing us optimism.
From Salon ● May 25, 2013
But is it possible to hold a full ToM along with a complete recognition of reality?
From Salon ● May 25, 2013
"The big impact is on breeding, especially for toms," Dr. Alan Krakauer, a biologist at the University of California – Davis, told Salon by email.
From Salon ● Nov. 25, 2022
He discovered that toms in a flock were anywhere from full to half-siblings.
From New York Times ● Nov. 21, 2022
Frozen inventories of whole toms, which generally weigh 16-24 pounds at the store, were down 17%.
From Reuters ● Nov. 16, 2022
These theatrical tabbies and toms will survive this latest wreck.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2019
As I gradually got louder, I started flicking little quick shots at the high toms.
From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
