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loom
1[ loom ]
/ lum /
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noun
a hand-operated or power-driven apparatus for weaving fabrics, containing harnesses, lay, reed, shuttles, treadles, etc.
the art or the process of weaving.
the part of an oar between the blade and the handle.
verb (used with object)
to weave (something) on a loom.
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Origin of loom
1First recorded before 900; Middle English lome, lombe, lume “tool, implement, loom,” Old English lōma, gelōma; further origin uncertain
Words nearby loom
lookup, look up and down, look up to, look who's talking, looky, loom, loo mask, looming, loom large, loom-state, loon
Other definitions for loom (2 of 4)
loom2
[ loom ]
/ lum /
verb (used without object)
to appear indistinctly; come into view in indistinct and enlarged form: The mountainous island loomed on the horizon.
to rise before the vision with an appearance of great or portentous size: Suddenly a police officer loomed in front of him.
to assume form as an impending event: A battle looms at the convention.
noun
a looming appearance, as of something seen indistinctly at a distance or through a fog: the loom of a moraine directly in their path.
Origin of loom
2First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; perhaps akin to East Frisian lomen, Swedish lome “move slowly”
Other definitions for loom (3 of 4)
Origin of loom
3First recorded in 1670–80; from Old Norse lōmr “loon”
Other definitions for loom (4 of 4)
L.O.O.M.
abbreviation
Loyal Order of Moose.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use loom in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for loom (1 of 3)
loom1
/ (luːm) /
noun
an apparatus, worked by hand (hand loom) or mechanically (power loom), for weaving yarn into a textile
the middle portion of an oar, which acts as a fulcrum swivelling in the rowlock
Word Origin for loom
C13 (meaning any kind of tool): variant of Old English gelōma tool; compare heirloom
British Dictionary definitions for loom (2 of 3)
loom2
/ (luːm) /
verb (intr)
to come into view indistinctly with an enlarged and often threatening aspect
(of an event) to seem ominously close
(often foll by over) (of large objects) to dominate or overhang
noun
a rising appearance, as of something far away
Word Origin for loom
C16: perhaps from East Frisian lomen to move slowly
British Dictionary definitions for loom (3 of 3)
loom3
/ (luːm) /
noun archaic, or dialect
another name for diver (def. 3)
any of various other birds, esp the guillemot
Word Origin for loom
C17: from Old Norse lomr
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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