Dictionary.com

lam

1
[ lam ]
/ læm /
Slang.
Save This Word!

verb (used with object), lammed, lam·ming.
to beat; thrash.
verb (used without object), lammed, lam·ming.
to beat; strike; thrash (usually followed by out or into).
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of lam

1
1590–1600; <Old Norse lamdi, past tense of lemja to beat; akin to lame1

Other definitions for lam (2 of 6)

lam2
[ lam ]
/ læm /
Slang.

noun
a hasty escape; flight.
verb (used without object), lammed, lam·ming.
to run away quickly; escape; flee: I'm going to lam out of here as soon as I've finished.

Origin of lam

2
1885–90; special use of lam1. Compare beat it! be off!

Other definitions for lam (3 of 6)

Lam
[ lahm, lam ]
/ lɑm, læm /

noun
Wi·fre·do [wi-frey-doh] /wɪˈfreɪ doʊ/ or Wil·fre·do [wil-frey-doh], /wɪlˈfreɪ doʊ/, 1902–82, Cuban painter in Europe.

Other definitions for lam (4 of 6)

lām
[ lahm ]
/ lɑm /

noun
the 23rd letter of the Arabic alphabet.

Origin of lām

From Arabic; see origin at lambda

Other definitions for lam (5 of 6)

lam.

abbreviation
laminated.

Other definitions for lam (6 of 6)

Lam.

abbreviation Bible.
Lamentations.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lam in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lam (1 of 3)

lam1
/ (læm) /

verb lams, lamming or lammed slang
(tr) to thrash or beat
(intr; usually foll by into or out) to make a sweeping stroke or blow

Word Origin for lam

C16: from Scandinavian; related to Old Norse lemja

British Dictionary definitions for lam (2 of 3)

lam2
/ (læm) US and Canadian slang /

noun
a sudden flight or escape, esp to avoid arrest
on the lam
  1. making an escape
  2. in hiding
verb lams, lamming or lammed
(intr) to escape or flee

Word Origin for lam

C19: perhaps from lam 1 (hence, to be off)

British Dictionary definitions for lam (3 of 3)

Lam.
/ Bible /

abbreviation for
Lamentations
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with lam

lam

see on the lam.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
FEEDBACK