fathom
noun
a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters): used chiefly in nautical measurements. fath
fathoming
-
present participleof fathom.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Climate change is what philosopher Timothy Morton calls a hyperobject: something that so massively occupies space and time that our puny primate brains have trouble fathoming them.
From Salon ● Dec. 31, 2025
They are like the proverbial worker who knows how to use a hammer and thus sees everything as a nail—not fathoming the existence of other tools.
From Scientific American ● Jun. 8, 2020
He was also being “completely honest,” baring a bewildered and troubled soul, not fathoming why he is so uninspired to play a sport he intends, or hopes, to continue on with.
From New York Times ● Jul. 4, 2017
At a prayer vigil with parents days later, Obama, a father of two daughters, spoke of how futile words were at fathoming grief and loss.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 12, 2017
One of them acting as clerk took charge of the goods and dealt them out to the others by fathoming them off with his arms, this being their custom of measuring cloth.
From Journal of Voyages Containing an Account of the Author's being Twice Captured by the English and Once by Gibbs the Pirate... by Jacob Dunham
