seam

[ seem ]

/ sim /

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See synonyms for: seam / seamed / seaming on Thesaurus.com

noun

the line formed by sewing together pieces of cloth, leather, or the like.

the stitches used to make such a line.

any line formed by abutting edges.

any linear indentation or mark, as a wrinkle or scar.

Knitting. a line of stitches formed by purling.

Geology. a comparatively thin stratum; a bed, as of coal.

verb (used with object)

to join with or as if with stitches; make the seam or seams of.

to furrow; mark with wrinkles, scars, etc.

Knitting. to knit with or in a seam.

verb (used without object)

to become cracked, fissured, or furrowed.

Knitting. to make a line of stitches by purling.

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Origin of seam

before 1000; Middle English seme (noun), Old English sēam; cognate with German Saum hem; akin to sew¹, Greek hymḗn membrane (see hymen)

OTHER WORDS FROM seam

seamer, nounun·der·seam, noun

Words nearby seam

seal ring, sealskin, sea lungwort, Sealyham terrier, sea lyme grass, seam, sea-maid, seaman, seaman apprentice, seamanlike, seaman recruit

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for seam

We are bursting at the seams already while trying to maintain some semblance of social distancing working under these incredible stress levels.
Federal judge denies request to extend Florida voter registration|Lori Rozsa|October 9, 2020|Washington Post
The flatlock seams made it as comfortable in bed as any of the other tops.
Our Gear Guy's 5 Favorite Running Tees|Joe Jackson|October 5, 2020|Outside Online
Kit comes with 14 large thread spools, 4 specialty thread spools, 12 threaded bobbins, 12 empty bobbins, a small pair of scissors, pins, buttons, needle threaders, a seam ripper, and a mini pin cushion.
Sewing kits perfect for home, travel, and gift-giving|PopSci Commerce Team|October 1, 2020|Popular Science
The kit comes with a good variety of basics including needles, threads, scissors, buttons, a thimble, a needle threader, and a seam ripper.
Sewing kits perfect for home, travel, and gift-giving|PopSci Commerce Team|October 1, 2020|Popular Science

They’re designed with a patented wave-design seam for extra stability, and they’re compostable, too.
Gear to make every day feel like National Coffee Day|PopSci Commerce Team|September 29, 2020|Popular Science
Fumbleroooohski…'” (39) “'Look at me, ungh, splitting my own seam, oohh… going deep.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Roll the pork over the stuffing, like a jelly roll, until the seam is facing down and the fat back is on top.
Make Carla Hall’s Roasted Pork Loin With Cranberries|Carla Hall|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You sense that Farrow out in the field reporting will be a potential strong seam.
Do Not Defy Ronan Farrow’s Power Pout|Tim Teeman|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For a number of years, we lived in the Abu Tor neighborhood, right on the seam of East and West Jerusalem.
Life In Common|Yehudah Mirsky|July 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
There is no doubt that Obama is tapping, here, into a rich seam of public discontent.
Obama's Phony Bank Debate|Tunku Varadarajan|April 22, 2010|DAILY BEAST
She essayed to sew, and stitched up a seam wrong side out, and ran the point of the needle under her finger nail.
Alone|Marion Harland
The cone is made of metal—tin, brass or copper—which can be nickelplated, the seam being soldered.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
The use of a hazel-rod to trace the existence of water or of a seam of coal seems a survival of this practice.
Witch, Warlock, and Magician|William Henry Davenport Adams
"There's a seam of cryolite in the Eastern Hills, according to the old maps," said Lake.
Space Prison|Tom Godwin
The smooth, unbreakable walls; the thin seam of the door; the thermometer.
The Girl and The Bill|Bannister Merwin

British Dictionary definitions for seam

seam

/ (siːm) /

noun

the line along which pieces of fabric are joined, esp by stitching

a ridge or line made by joining two edges

a stratum of coal, ore, etc

a linear indentation, such as a wrinkle or scar

surgery another name for suture (def. 1b)

(modifier) cricket of or relating to a style of bowling in which the bowler utilizes the stitched seam round the ball in order to make it swing in flight and after touching the grounda seam bowler

bursting at the seams full to overflowing

in a good seam Northern English dialect doing well, esp financially

verb

(tr) to join or sew together by or as if by a seam

US to make ridges in (knitting) using purl stitch

to mark or become marked with or as if with a seam or wrinkle

Word Origin for seam

Old English; related to Old Norse saumr, Old High German soum

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

Scientific definitions for seam

seam

[ sēm ]

A thin layer or stratum, as of coal or rock.

Idioms and Phrases with seam

seam

see burst at the seams; come apart at the seams.

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