shim

[ shim ]

noun

1. a thin slip or wedge of metal, wood, etc., for driving into crevices, as between machine parts to compensate for wear, or beneath bedplates, large stones, etc., to level them.

verb (used with object)

, shimmed, shim·ming.

1. to fill out or bring to a level by inserting a shim or shims.

shim

/ ʃɪm /

noun

1. a thin packing strip or washer often used with a number of similar washers or strips to adjust a clearance for gears, etc
2. physics a thin strip of magnetic material, such as soft iron, used to adjust a magnetic field

verb

1. tr to modify a load, clearance, or magnetic field by the use of shims

Word History and Origins

Origin of shim¹

First recorded in 1715–25; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of shim¹

C18: origin unknown

Example Sentences

And the roster is topped off with fan favorites like Meleana Shim and Jessica McDonald.

From The Daily Beast

The men on the wrench then back off and the horseshoe shim supports the weight of the machine.

From Project Gutenberg

A thin steel shim could then be inserted to make the necessary correction (fig. 5).

From Project Gutenberg

No, the big elevation rudder was still in place, but it seemed to have no effect on the shim.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dressing
• layer
• mixture
• stuffing