seam

[ seem ]
See synonyms for: seamseamedseaming on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. the line formed by sewing together pieces of cloth, leather, or the like.

  2. the stitches used to make such a line.

  1. any line formed by abutting edges.

  2. any linear indentation or mark, as a wrinkle or scar.

  3. Knitting. a line of stitches formed by purling.

  4. Geology. a comparatively thin stratum; a bed, as of coal.

verb (used with object)
  1. to join with or as if with stitches; make the seam or seams of.

  2. to furrow; mark with wrinkles, scars, etc.

  1. Knitting. to knit with or in a seam.

verb (used without object)
  1. to become cracked, fissured, or furrowed.

  2. Knitting. to make a line of stitches by purling.

Origin of seam

1
before 1000; Middle English seme (noun), Old English sēam; cognate with German Saum hem; akin to sew1, Greek hymḗn membrane (see hymen)

Other words from seam

  • seamer, noun
  • un·der·seam, noun

Words Nearby seam

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

How to use seam in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for seam

seam

/ (siːm) /


noun
  1. the line along which pieces of fabric are joined, esp by stitching

  2. a ridge or line made by joining two edges

  1. a stratum of coal, ore, etc

  2. a linear indentation, such as a wrinkle or scar

  3. surgery another name for suture (def. 1b)

  4. (modifier) cricket of or relating to a style of bowling in which the bowler utilizes the stitched seam round the ball in order to make it swing in flight and after touching the ground: a seam bowler

  5. bursting at the seams full to overflowing

  6. in a good seam Northern English dialect doing well, esp financially

verb
  1. (tr) to join or sew together by or as if by a seam

  2. US to make ridges in (knitting) using purl stitch

  1. to mark or become marked with or as if with a seam or wrinkle

Origin of seam

1
Old English; related to Old Norse saumr, Old High German soum

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

Scientific definitions for seam

seam

[ sēm ]


  1. A thin layer or stratum, as of coal or rock.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with seam

seam

see burst at the seams; come apart at the seams.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.