palm

¹ American  

[pahm] / pɑm /

noun

1. the part of the inner surface of the hand that extends from the wrist to the bases of the fingers.

2. the corresponding part of the forefoot of an animal.

3. the part of a glove covering this part of the hand.

4. Also called sailmaker's palm.  a stiff rawhide or metal shield worn over this part of the hand by sailmakers to serve as a thimble.

5. a linear measure of from 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters), based on the breadth of the hand.

6. a linear measure of from 7 to 10 inches (17.5 to 25 centimeters), based on the length of the hand.

7. the flat, expanded part of the horn or antler of a deer.

8. a flat, widened part at the end of an armlike projection.

9. Nautical.

   1. the blade of an oar.

   2. the inner face of an anchor fluke.

   3. (loosely) an anchor fluke.

10. a flat-topped bearing member at the head of a stanchion.

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verb (used with object)

• palms,
  present (3rd person singular)
• palmed,
  past participle,  past
• palming
  present participle

1. to conceal in the palm, as in cheating at cards or dice or in juggling.

2. to pick up stealthily.

3. to hold in the hand.

4. to impose (something) fraudulently (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to palm stolen jewels on someone.

5. to touch or stroke with the palm or hand.

6. to shake hands with.

7. Basketball. to grip (the ball) momentarily with the hand in the act of dribbling.

verb phrase

1. palm off to dispose of by deception, trickery, or fraud; substitute (something) with intent to deceive.

   Someone had palmed off a forgery on the museum officials.

idioms

1. grease someone's palm, to bribe: Also cross someone's palm

   Before any work could begin, it was necessary to grease the superintendent's palm.

palm ² American  

[pahm] / pɑm /

noun

1. any of numerous plants of the family Palmae, most species being tall, unbranched trees surmounted by a crown of large pinnate or palmately cleft leaves.

2. any of various other trees or shrubs that resemble this.

3. a leaf or branch of such a tree, especially as formerly borne to signify victory or as used on festive occasions.

4. a representation of such a leaf or branch, as on a military or other decoration of honor, usually indicating a second award of the decoration.

5. the reward of honor due to a victor.

   In oratory she yields the palm to no one.

6. victory; triumph; success.

   He carried off the palm by sheer perseverance.

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palm ¹ British  

/ pɑːm /

noun

1. the inner part of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers

2. a corresponding part in animals, esp apes and monkeys

3. a linear measure based on the breadth or length of a hand, equal to three to four inches or seven to ten inches respectively

4. the part of a glove that covers the palm

5. a hard leather shield worn by sailmakers to protect the palm of the hand

6. 1. the side of the blade of an oar that faces away from the direction of a boat's movement during a stroke

   2. the face of the fluke of an anchor

7. a flattened or expanded part of the antlers of certain deer

8. at one's mercy or command

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verb

1. to conceal in or about the hand, as in sleight-of-hand tricks

2. to touch or soothe with the palm of the hand

palm ² British  

/ pɑːm /

noun

1. any treelike plant of the tropical and subtropical monocotyledonous family Arecaceae (formerly Palmae or Palmaceae ), usually having a straight unbranched trunk crowned with large pinnate or palmate leaves

2. a leaf or branch of any of these trees, a symbol of victory, success, etc

3. merit or victory

4. an emblem or insignia representing a leaf or branch worn on certain military decorations

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palm More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing palm

• cross someone's palm
• grease someone's palm
• itchy palm

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• palmlike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• palming
  present
• palmed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• palm
  simple
• palms
  simple
• have palmed
  perfect
• has palmed
  perfect
• am palming
  progressive
• are palming
  progressive
• is palming
  progressive
• have been palming
  perfect progressive
• has been palming
  perfect progressive

Past

• palmed
  simple
• had palmed
  perfect
• was palming
  progressive
• were palming
  progressive
• had been palming
  perfect progressive

Future

• will palm
  simple
• will have palmed
  perfect
• will be palming
  progressive
• will have been palming
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of palm¹

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin palma (cognate with Old English folm “hand”); replacing Middle English paume, from Middle French, from Latin palma

Origin of palm²

First recorded before 900; Middle English palm(e), paume, pame, Old English palm, palma, from Latin palma “palm tree,” special use of palma palm ¹

Explanation

Your palm is the inside part of your hand. When you clap, you smack your palms together repeatedly. Your palm extends from your wrist to your fingers. You can hold an orange in your palm or rest your palm on your friend's feverish forehead. Palm can also be a verb, meaning "steal" or "hide inside your hand." So a magician might palm a coin in her palm, and a shoplifter might palm a diamond ring in a jewelry store. Palm trees are named for their leaves' similarity to the fingers of a large hand.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

palm palms palmed palming

Designed by Gaudí, the Nativity façade is both naturalistic and overflowing with natural imagery: lilies and palm trees, a tortoise and sea turtle, insects and frogs, sheep and ducks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

When the skin has collapsed into your palm like a deflated balloon, you lift the box grater and discover an almost implausible amount of ruby pulp underneath it.

From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2026

Most are small enough to fit into the palm of her hand.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

Find insight on gold and silver prices, palm oil, Air Liquide and more in the latest Market Talks covering Basic Materials.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

As she touched my hand, I felt something in her palm.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

The fuel terminal was built in the 1920s, when there was little other than mangroves and coconut palms on Fisher Island.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 2026

Referred to as “pretiola,” meaning “little rewards” in Latin, their twists were meant to look like arms crossed in prayer, with the palms of each hand touching the opposite shoulder.

From Salon ● Apr. 28, 2026

While the other candidates pressed their palms against the podiums, ready to pounce on every question, Becerra clasped his hands like an altar boy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026

Wiseman said the solar eclipse was particularly poignant: "I'm actually in chills right now just thinking about it, my palms are sweating."

From Barron's ● Apr. 9, 2026

I take it, and can’t help but notice how the deep purple crescent shapes that my nails cut into the soft flesh of my palms smile obscenely at me.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Emily Bowen and Mathew Mariani felt their worries were "palmed off" but it turned out baby Esme had a serious heart defect that needed surgery.

From BBC ● May 23, 2026

Anthony Gordon scored four times in Newcastle's 6-1 rout of Qarabag and the England forward threatened an immediate equaliser with a stinging strike that Gianluigi Donnarumma palmed away.

From Barron's ● Feb. 21, 2026

That goal looked to have sealed the points from Juve but Baldanzi quickly halved the deficit after Michele Di Gregorio palmed away Evan Ferguson's low drive.

From Barron's ● Dec. 20, 2025

The Sale fly-half, on his 101st cap, first put up a high kick which was safely palmed back, before a pin-point cross-field was clung on to by Tom Roebuck.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2025

“Happy? With another man’s child palmed off on him? I don’t see it.”

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

"For me, it's ridiculous," the goalkeeper added, taking a break from palming away shots struck by friends wearing colorful Brazil and Barcelona jerseys.

From Barron's ● May 13, 2026

“But you, my darling, my beautiful, my wickedly talented Idina Menzel,” he continued, palming her cheeks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 4, 2024

In a free-flowing first half, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made a great save in the 38th by diving to his right and palming away a shot from Brennan Johnson after a quick counter by Spurs.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 24, 2023

Diaw denied Messi again in stoppage time, palming away a free kick.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 3, 2023

He finally settled in Lorain, Ohio, in 1931, palming himself off as a minister, and inspiring awe with the way he spoke English.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• brush
• caress
• feel
• handle
• hit
• kiss
• lick
• pat
• reach
• rub
• strike
• stroke
• tap