foam

[fohm]

noun

1. a collection of minute bubbles formed on the surface of a liquid by agitation, fermentation, etc..

   foam on a glass of beer.

   Synonyms: scum, fizz, head, spume, froth

2. the froth of perspiration, caused by great exertion, formed on the skin of a horse or other animal.

3. froth formed from saliva in the mouth, as in epilepsy and rabies.

4. a thick frothy substance, as shaving cream.

5. (in firefighting)

   1. a chemically produced substance that smothers the flames on a burning liquid by forming a layer of minute, stable, heat-resistant bubbles on the liquid's surface.

   2. the layer of bubbles so formed.

6. a dispersion of gas bubbles in a solid, as foam glass, foam rubber, polyfoam, or foamed metal.

7. Literary.,  the sea.

verb (used without object)

1. to form or gather foam; emit foam; froth.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to foam.

2. to cover with foam; apply foam to.

   to foam a runway before an emergency landing.

3. to insulate with foam.

4. to make (plastic, metal, etc.) into a foam.

foam

/ fəʊm /

noun

1. a mass of small bubbles of gas formed on the surface of a liquid, such as the froth produced by agitating a solution of soap or detergent in water

2. frothy saliva sometimes formed in and expelled from the mouth, as in rabies

3. the frothy sweat of a horse or similar animal

4. 1. any of a number of light cellular solids made by creating bubbles of gas in the liquid material and solidifying it: used as insulators and in packaging

   2. ( as modifier )

      foam rubber

      foam plastic

5. a colloid consisting of a gas suspended in a liquid

6. a mixture of chemicals sprayed from a fire extinguisher onto a burning substance to create a stable layer of bubbles which smothers the flames

7. a poetic word for the sea

verb

1. to produce or cause to produce foam; froth

2. (intr) to be very angry (esp in the phrase foam at the mouth )

foam

1. Small, frothy bubbles formed in or on the surface of a liquid, as from fermentation or shaking.

2. A colloid in which particles of a gas are dispersed throughout a liquid.

3. Compare aerosol emulsion

Other Word Forms

• foamlike adjective
• foamless adjective
• foamable adjective
• foamer noun
• foamingly adverb
• defoam verb (used with object)
• unfoamed adjective
• unfoaming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foam¹

before 900; Middle English fom, Old English fām; cognate with German Feim

Word History and Origins

Origin of foam¹

Old English fām ; related to Old High German feim , Latin spūma , Sanskrit phena

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. foam at the mouth, to be extremely or uncontrollably angry.

Example Sentences

The researchers found much higher concentrations of forever chemicals at sites treated with firefighting foams, as well as those closer to urban areas.

Read more on Science Daily

Super spikes, however, have an actual sole—the thickness of a deck of cards made out of high-tech, energy-returning foam—plus a springy carbon-fiber plate.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The advent of super spike shoes, which feature soles with superlight, springy foams and rigid plates, has also brought a drop in times on the track.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Now the water had become "mucky and cloudy" and "you can see build-ups of foam in a number of spots".

Read more on BBC

An improvised fireless slow cooker is built from little more than a wooden box, expanding foam, and a yoga mat - and it works.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cream 
• froth 
• spray