carom

or car·rom

[ kar-uhm ]

noun

1. Billiards, Pool. a shot in which the cue ball hits two balls in succession.
2. any strike and rebound, as a ball striking a wall and glancing off.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a carom.
2. to strike and rebound.

carom

/ ˈkærəm /

noun

1. billiards Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)cannon
   1. a shot in which the cue ball is caused to contact one object ball after another
   2. the points scored by this

Word History and Origins

Origin of carom¹

1770–80; by false analysis of carambole (taken as carom ball ) < French < Spanish carambola, special use of fruit name; carambola

Word History and Origins

Origin of carom¹

C18: from earlier carambole (taken as carom ball ), from Spanish carambola

Example Sentences

The ensuing free kick from the 20-yard line was made off the ground, not on a tee, and the ball caromed laterally out of bounds without touching a player, resulting in a five-yard penalty.

From Los Angeles Times

Matt Chapman walked on a full-count fastball that caromed off catcher Smith’s glove for a passed ball that allowed Wade to score for a 1-0 Giants lead.

From Los Angeles Times

This sends atoms of carbon and oxygen from the carbon dioxide caroming across the table with hydrogen atoms from the water.

From Science Daily

But as Varlamov went behind the net to play the puck, it took an unexpected bounce and caromed straight into the left post, then popped forward into the crease.

From Seattle Times

Heaven knows how far he was hustled in this manner, or how many rocks he caromed off on his way.

From Literature

Related Words

• glance
• ricochet
• skim