palm

¹ American  

[pahm] / pɑm /

noun

1. the part of the inner surface of the hand that extends from the wrist to the bases of the fingers.

2. the corresponding part of the forefoot of an animal.

3. the part of a glove covering this part of the hand.

4. Also called sailmaker's palm.  a stiff rawhide or metal shield worn over this part of the hand by sailmakers to serve as a thimble.

5. a linear measure of from 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters), based on the breadth of the hand.

6. a linear measure of from 7 to 10 inches (17.5 to 25 centimeters), based on the length of the hand.

7. the flat, expanded part of the horn or antler of a deer.

8. a flat, widened part at the end of an armlike projection.

9. Nautical.

   1. the blade of an oar.

   2. the inner face of an anchor fluke.

   3. (loosely) an anchor fluke.

10. a flat-topped bearing member at the head of a stanchion.

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verb (used with object)

palms, present (3rd person singular) palmed, past participle, past palming present participle

1. to conceal in the palm, as in cheating at cards or dice or in juggling.

2. to pick up stealthily.

3. to hold in the hand.

4. to impose (something) fraudulently (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to palm stolen jewels on someone.

5. to touch or stroke with the palm or hand.

6. to shake hands with.

7. Basketball. to grip (the ball) momentarily with the hand in the act of dribbling.

verb phrase

1. palm off to dispose of by deception, trickery, or fraud; substitute (something) with intent to deceive.

   Someone had palmed off a forgery on the museum officials.

idioms

1. grease someone's palm, to bribe: Also cross someone's palm

   Before any work could begin, it was necessary to grease the superintendent's palm.

palm ² American  

[pahm] / pɑm /

noun

1. any of numerous plants of the family Palmae, most species being tall, unbranched trees surmounted by a crown of large pinnate or palmately cleft leaves.

2. any of various other trees or shrubs that resemble this.

3. a leaf or branch of such a tree, especially as formerly borne to signify victory or as used on festive occasions.

4. a representation of such a leaf or branch, as on a military or other decoration of honor, usually indicating a second award of the decoration.

5. the reward of honor due to a victor.

   In oratory she yields the palm to no one.

6. victory; triumph; success.

   He carried off the palm by sheer perseverance.

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palm ¹ British  

/ pɑːm /

noun

1. the inner part of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers

2. a corresponding part in animals, esp apes and monkeys

3. a linear measure based on the breadth or length of a hand, equal to three to four inches or seven to ten inches respectively

4. the part of a glove that covers the palm

5. a hard leather shield worn by sailmakers to protect the palm of the hand

6. 1. the side of the blade of an oar that faces away from the direction of a boat's movement during a stroke

   2. the face of the fluke of an anchor

7. a flattened or expanded part of the antlers of certain deer

8. at one's mercy or command

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verb

1. to conceal in or about the hand, as in sleight-of-hand tricks

2. to touch or soothe with the palm of the hand

palm ² British  

/ pɑːm /

noun

1. any treelike plant of the tropical and subtropical monocotyledonous family Arecaceae (formerly Palmae or Palmaceae ), usually having a straight unbranched trunk crowned with large pinnate or palmate leaves

2. a leaf or branch of any of these trees, a symbol of victory, success, etc

3. merit or victory

4. an emblem or insignia representing a leaf or branch worn on certain military decorations

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palm More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing palm

• cross someone's palm
• grease someone's palm
• itchy palm

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• palmlike
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has palmed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have palmed
  perfect
• am palming
  progressive 1st person singular
• is palming
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been palming
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• palming
  participle
• have been palming
  perfect progressive
• palms
  singular 3rd person
• are palming
  progressive

Past

• had palmed
  perfect
• was palming
  progressive singular
• had been palming
  perfect progressive
• palmed
  participle
• palmed
  simple
• were palming
  progressive plural

Future

• will palm
  simple
• will have palmed
  perfect
• will have been palming
  perfect progressive
• will be palming
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of palm¹

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin palma (cognate with Old English folm “hand”); replacing Middle English paume, from Middle French, from Latin palma

Origin of palm²

First recorded before 900; Middle English palm(e), paume, pame, Old English palm, palma, from Latin palma “palm tree,” special use of palma palm ¹

Explanation

Your palm is the inside part of your hand. When you clap, you smack your palms together repeatedly. Your palm extends from your wrist to your fingers. You can hold an orange in your palm or rest your palm on your friend's feverish forehead. Palm can also be a verb, meaning "steal" or "hide inside your hand." So a magician might palm a coin in her palm, and a shoplifter might palm a diamond ring in a jewelry store. Palm trees are named for their leaves' similarity to the fingers of a large hand.

Example Sentences

My grandmother positions a chair in front of the windows of our sunroom, which look out onto the neighboring hills dotted with bungalows, Tuscan pines and tall palm trees.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Find insight on crude palm oil, Rio Tinto and more in the latest Market Talks covering Basic Materials.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Photos showed one of the seized Madagascar cockroaches was almost big enough to completely cover the palm of an adult hand.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

"People do have them because they are big, they're sort of like the size of your palm of your hand," she told the ABC.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

I blink at the mustachioed vendor, who stands with his palm outstretched.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• brush
• caress
• feel
• handle
• hit
• kiss
• lick
• pat
• reach
• rub
• strike
• stroke
• tap