loom

¹

[loom]

noun

1. a hand-operated or power-driven apparatus for weaving fabrics, containing harnesses, lay, reed, shuttles, treadles, etc.

2. the art or the process of weaving.

3. the part of an oar between the blade and the handle.

verb (used with object)

1. to weave (something) on a loom.

loom

²

[loom]

verb (used without object)

1. to appear indistinctly; come into view in indistinct and enlarged form.

   The mountainous island loomed on the horizon.

2. to rise before the vision with an appearance of great or portentous size.

   Suddenly a police officer loomed in front of him.

   Synonyms: tower, rear

3. to assume form as an impending event.

   A battle looms at the convention.

noun

1. a looming appearance, as of something seen indistinctly at a distance or through a fog.

   the loom of a moraine directly in their path.

loom

³

[loom]

noun

British Dialect.

1. loon.

2. a guillemot or murre.

L.O.O.M.

⁴

abbreviation

1. Loyal Order of Moose.

loom

¹

/ luːm /

verb

1. to come into view indistinctly with an enlarged and often threatening aspect

2. (of an event) to seem ominously close

3. (often foll by over) (of large objects) to dominate or overhang

noun

1. a rising appearance, as of something far away

loom

²

/ luːm /

noun

1. an apparatus, worked by hand ( hand loom ) or mechanically ( power loom ), for weaving yarn into a textile

2. the middle portion of an oar, which acts as a fulcrum swivelling in the rowlock

loom

³

/ luːm /

noun

1. another name for diver

2. any of various other birds, esp the guillemot

Word History and Origins

Origin of loom¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English lome, lombe, lume “tool, implement, loom,” Old English lōma, gelōma; further origin uncertain

Origin of loom²

First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; perhaps akin to East Frisian lomen, Swedish lome “move slowly”

Origin of loom³

First recorded in 1670–80; from Old Norse lōmr “loon”

Word History and Origins

Origin of loom¹

C16: perhaps from East Frisian lomen to move slowly

Origin of loom²

C13 (meaning any kind of tool): variant of Old English gelōma tool; compare _heirloom

Origin of loom³

C17: from Old Norse lomr

Example Sentences

He had missed another preseason game with because of a sciatica issue in his right side that is expected to sideline him until sometime in November, but his presence still loomed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That departure sent the LDP scrambling to find a new partner ahead of a looming vote to decide the next premier.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Since 2020, when suspected jihadists attacked the Kafolo military camp in northeastern Ivory Coast, the army has maintained a powerful presence in the region -- and now fresh threats are looming, residents warn.

Read more on Barron's

During his visit to the U.S. last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with American energy executives as part of efforts to secure more U.S. support to address his country’s looming energy crisis.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A close inspection of the oil market shows signs of a looming market surplus, the climate and commodities economist says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• brew 
• come on 
• dominate 
• emerge 
• hover 
• mount 
• overshadow 
• portend 
• soar 
• stand out 
• threaten