seam

American  

[seem] / sim /

noun

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

2. the stitches used to make such a line.

3. any line formed by abutting edges.

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

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

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

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verb (used with object)

seams, present (3rd person singular) seamed, past participle, past seaming present participle

1. to join with or as if with stitches; make the seam or seams of.

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

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

verb (used without object)

seams, present (3rd person singular) seamed, past participle, past seaming present participle

1. to become cracked, fissured, or furrowed.

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

seam British  

/ 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

3. a stratum of coal, ore, etc

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

5. surgery another name for suture

6. (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

7. full to overflowing

8. dialect doing well, esp financially

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verb

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

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

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

seam Scientific  

/ sēm /

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

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seam Idioms  

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• seamer
  noun
• underseam
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has seamed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are seaming
  progressive
• have seamed
  perfect
• am seaming
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been seaming
  perfect progressive
• has been seaming
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is seaming
  progressive 3rd person singular
• seaming
  participle
• seams
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had seamed
  perfect
• had been seaming
  perfect progressive
• were seaming
  progressive plural
• was seaming
  progressive singular
• seamed
  participle
• seamed
  simple

Future

• will seam
  simple
• will have seamed
  perfect
• will have been seaming
  perfect progressive
• will be seaming
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of seam

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

Explanation

When you sew two pieces of fabric together, the line you are sewing is the seam. Coal appears in long, linear underground deposits referred to as seams. A garment that is coming to pieces will often first tear at the seams, the weakest parts. People use this image to describe anything that has reached a point where it is simply not holding together––your car could be falling apart at the seams, or if there's been a lot of stress in your life, you could be too — and you might have to move into a seamy neighborhood.

Example Sentences

That suggests Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson will both be needed in the XI with their seam bowling and power-hitting capabilities, while Edwards emphasised the need for flexibility in the batting line-up.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Having Deborah decide to prolong her life with chemo because she could not resist mining this final seam of comedic gold was a coup de grace.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

A purple light shines in the darkness like a seam across the void, a faint glow that promises dawn.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

It first operated in 1894 and was used to raise and lower workers, equipment and coal from the surface to the seam below.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

I pressed my ear to the seam around the hinges.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon

Related Words

• hem
• joint
• pleat