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

Bell in an opinion written by no less a figure than Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 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

Wales looked comfortable in defence in the early stages, with new defence coach Tyrone Holmes clearly having an impact, but were caught narrow for the opening score.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Halladay's team worked with scientists from the National Institutes of Health on this multi-institutional project, led by Andrew Holmes and Olena Bukalo of the Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

Holmes checked newspaper advertisements for a rental flat far enough from his building to make impromptu visits unlikely.

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