em-

¹ American  

1. variant of en- before b, p, and sometimes m:

   embalm.

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em- ² American  

1. variant of en- before b, m, p, ph:

   embolism, emphasis.

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em ³ American  

[em] / ɛm /

noun

plural

ems

1. the letter M, m.

2. Also called mut, mutton.  Printing.

   1. the square of any size of type used as the unit of measurement for matter printed in that type size.

   2. (originally) the portion of a line of type occupied by the letter M in type of the same size.

3. em pica.

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adjective

1. Printing. having the area of an em quad or the length of an em dash.

'em ⁴ American  

[uhm] / əm /

pronoun

Informal.

1. them.

   Put 'em down there.

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Em ⁵ American  

Symbol, Physical Chemistry.

1. emanation.

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EM ⁶ American  

abbreviation

1. electromagnetic.

2. electromotive.

3. electronic mail.

4. electron microscope; electron microscopy.

5. end matched.

6. Engineer of Mines.

7. enlisted man; enlisted men.

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E.M. ⁷ American  

abbreviation

1. Earl Marshal.

2. Engineer of Mines.

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em ¹ British  

/ ɛm /

noun

1. Also called: mutton.   mut.  the square of a body of any size of type, used as a unit of measurement

2. Also called: pica em.   pica.  a unit of measurement used in printing, equal to one sixth of an inch

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'em ² British  

/ əm /

pronoun

1. an informal variant of them

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em- ³ British  

prefix

1. before b, m, and p, a variant of en- 1 en- 2

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Etymology

Origin of em³

First recorded in 1860–65

Origin of 'em⁴

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English hem, Old English heom, dative and accusative plural of he ¹

Example Sentences

“I recruited ‘em, I signed them as free agents.

From Los Angeles Times

“You can’t just bunch ‘em all together,” he said, adding, “You just kind of figure it out as you go.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Says it’s of the utmost importance. I don’t care how important it is, I told ’em nothing comes before a cup of coffee.

From Literature

“You come in here and tell ’em, Aunt Kitty,” I hollered over the arguing voices, waving my aunt to step into the shade under the wide green awning.

From Literature

“When they do that, you can just pop ‘em up.

From Slate