loom

¹ American  

[loom] / lum /

noun

1. a hand-operated or power-driven apparatus for weaving fabrics, containing harnesses, lay, reed, shuttles, treadles, etc.

2. the art or the process of weaving.

3. the part of an oar between the blade and the handle.

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verb (used with object)

1. to weave (something) on a loom.

loom ² American  

[loom] / lum /

verb (used without object)

1. to appear indistinctly; come into view in indistinct and enlarged form.

   The mountainous island loomed on the horizon.

2. to rise before the vision with an appearance of great or portentous size.

   Suddenly a police officer loomed in front of him.

   Synonyms:

   tower, rear

3. to assume form as an impending event.

   A battle looms at the convention.

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noun

1. a looming appearance, as of something seen indistinctly at a distance or through a fog.

   the loom of a moraine directly in their path.

loom ³ American  

[loom] / lum /

noun

British Dialect.

1. loon.

2. a guillemot or murre.

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L.O.O.M. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. Loyal Order of Moose.

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loom ¹ British  

/ luːm /

verb

1. to come into view indistinctly with an enlarged and often threatening aspect

2. (of an event) to seem ominously close

3. (often foll by over) (of large objects) to dominate or overhang

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noun

1. a rising appearance, as of something far away

loom ² British  

/ luːm /

noun

1. an apparatus, worked by hand ( hand loom ) or mechanically ( power loom ), for weaving yarn into a textile

2. the middle portion of an oar, which acts as a fulcrum swivelling in the rowlock

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loom ³ British  

/ luːm /

noun

1. another name for diver

2. any of various other birds, esp the guillemot

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Etymology

Origin of loom¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English lome, lombe, lume “tool, implement, loom,” Old English lōma, gelōma; further origin uncertain

Origin of loom²

First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; perhaps akin to East Frisian lomen, Swedish lome “move slowly”

Origin of loom³

First recorded in 1670–80; from Old Norse lōmr “loon”

Example Sentences

While the stock has stabilized in recent weeks, it remains below a technical zone, a warning that further declines may loom.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

The hasty announcement shows how Canada’s complicated language politics continue to loom over its business world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The shadows of Bale and Ramsey et al continue to loom large – but are they an inspiration or a burden?

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

In the medium term, global coal demand and supply look roughly in balance, Knutson says, though shortages may loom in the 2040s unless investment picks up in the next decade.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

She couldn’t remember seeing one at the Stevenses’, and they were rich enough to own their own loom.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson

Related Words

• brew
• come on
• dominate
• emerge
• hover
• mount
• overshadow
• portend
• soar
• stand out
• threaten