mom
noun
a person’s mother or one’s mother.
Trivia Time
Mom jeans are typically characterized by what kind of waist?
mom
1 American
[mom]
/ mɒm /
noun
-
moms
plural
-
a person’s mother or one’s mother.
-
a term of endearment used to refer to a woman or girl who is admired: She came on stage at the beginning of the concert, and I was like, MOM.
Obviously she has no kids, but she is such a mom.
She came on stage at the beginning of the concert, and I was like, MOM.
All her friends call her “mom” even though she just started middle school.
adjective
verb (used with object)
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to act as a mother toward; act maternally toward, sometimes in an excessive way: I think I just got mommed by my cat.
She just mommed me with advice.
I think I just got mommed by my cat.
She totally mommed those bullies.
-
to refer to (an admired woman or girl) as “mom”.
My friends mommed the selfie I just posted.
verb (used without object)
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to perform the tasks or duties of a female parent; act maternally, sometimes in an excessive way: She mommed out hard after I came home late.
I like the way she moms.
She mommed out hard after I came home late.
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(of a woman or girl) to refer to an admired woman or girl as “mom”.
Whenever I comment on photos of my friends, I mom.
m.o.m.
2
American
abbreviation
mom
British
/ mɒm /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of mom
First recorded in 1845–50; short for momma
Explanation
Mom is what many Americans call their mothers. Mothers with young children hear this word about 10,000 times a day, usually all in a row. Mom. Mom. Mom. You get the idea. Mom is a very common informal word in the U.S. for “mother,” shortened from momma or mommy, an even more childish nickname for your mother. If you’re talking directly to your mom, using “mom” like a name, capitalize it – "Hi, Mom!" If you’re talking about her or another mom, don’t – "Hi, other person’s mom." In other English-speaking parts of the world, people might use mum instead.
Vocabulary lists containing mom
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Seeing the rocky path leading up the valley, my mom voiced doubt for the first time, and I dismissed her with what I hoped sounded like words of encouragement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Kiran Ramineni, who lives next door, described Art of Play as a "very nice small mom and pop store" and said he had seen flocks of journalists there in recent days.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
“My father died; my mom and I have health impacts.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
Wynn knew my family and said, “Want me to tell your mom how good you are?”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
Taking out my phone to update my mom, I trail after Ben through the exit.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
To all the moms and dads volunteering, you’re the unsung heroes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026
This year alone, Hathaway has repeatedly proven her versatility, jumping between gun-toting moms, tortured pop stars and struggling journalists.
From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2026
If I were a member of Congress, I could introduce a bill with two clauses: one a statement supporting America’s moms, and another forcing everyone to eat kale.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
I’d argue that it isn’t so much about what the moms in Oreo-gate are saying, but more about how they are saying it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026
Not all moms make chicken parmesan when their kids have a bad day.
From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
