Holmes

American  

[hohmz, hohlmz] / hoʊmz, hoʊlmz /

noun

1. John Haynes 1879–1964, U.S. clergyman.

2. Oliver Wendell 1809–94, U.S. poet, novelist, essayist, and physician.

3. his son Oliver Wendell, 1841–1935, U.S. jurist: associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court 1902–32.

4. Sherlock, a detective in many mystery stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

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Holmes British  

/ həʊmz /

noun

1. Oliver Wendell. 1809–94, US author, esp of humorous essays, such as The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table (1858) and its sequels

2. his son, Oliver Wendell. 1841–1935, US jurist, noted for his liberal judgments

3. Sir Paul .1950–2013, New Zealand radio and television broadcaster; presenter of The Paul Holmes Breakfast , (1987–2008)

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Holmes Scientific  

/ hōmz,hōlmz /

1. British geologist who pioneered a method of determining the age of rocks by measuring their radioactive components. He was also an early supporter of Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift.

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Example Sentences

“They were in a stretch right there where every single day, they were getting a stud hurt. They put together a winning streak against the Tigers, then Clay Holmes has the comebacker break his ankle.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Janelle Holmes, CEO of Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust, which oversees Arrowe Park Hospital, said the former passengers will be screened and continuously assessed when they arrive there.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

“Everybody’s all in for fairness,” Mets pitcher Clay Holmes said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. said External link “taxes are what we pay for civilized society,” suggesting we get what we pay for.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

It was a game for Holmes, Geyer realized.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson