seam

American  

[seem] / sim /

noun

seams plural

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

2. the stitches used to make such a line.

3. any line formed by abutting edges.

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

5. Knitting. a line of stitches formed by purling.

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

---

verb (used with object)

seams, present (3rd person singular) seamed, past participle, past seaming present participle

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

2. to furrow; mark with wrinkles, scars, etc.

3. Knitting. to knit with or in a seam.

verb (used without object)

seams, present (3rd person singular) seamed, past participle, past seaming present participle

1. to become cracked, fissured, or furrowed.

2. Knitting. to make a line of stitches by purling.

seam British  

/ siːm /

noun

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

2. a ridge or line made by joining two edges

3. a stratum of coal, ore, etc

4. a linear indentation, such as a wrinkle or scar

5. surgery another name for suture

6. (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 ground

   a seam bowler

7. full to overflowing

8. dialect doing well, esp financially

---

verb

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

2. to make ridges in (knitting) using purl stitch

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

seam Scientific  

/ sēm /

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

---

seam Idioms  

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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• seamer
  noun
• underseam
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• seams
  plural

Participles

• seaming
  present
• seamed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• seam
  simple
• seams
  simple
• have seamed
  perfect
• has seamed
  perfect
• am seaming
  progressive
• are seaming
  progressive
• is seaming
  progressive
• have been seaming
  perfect progressive
• has been seaming
  perfect progressive

Past

• seamed
  simple
• had seamed
  perfect
• was seaming
  progressive
• were seaming
  progressive
• had been seaming
  perfect progressive

Future

• will seam
  simple
• will have seamed
  perfect
• will be seaming
  progressive
• will have been seaming
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of seam

before 1000; Middle English seme (noun), Old English sēam; cognate with German Saum hem; akin to sew ¹, Greek hymḗn membrane ( see hymen)

Explanation

When you sew two pieces of fabric together, the line you are sewing is the seam. Coal appears in long, linear underground deposits referred to as seams. A garment that is coming to pieces will often first tear at the seams, the weakest parts. People use this image to describe anything that has reached a point where it is simply not holding together––your car could be falling apart at the seams, or if there's been a lot of stress in your life, you could be too — and you might have to move into a seamy neighborhood.

Example Sentences

Without Stokes' all-round abilities, the hosts have had to bolster their batting by bringing in debutant Jordan Cox, and add to their seam bowling with Sonny Baker, meaning Bashir has been jettisoned.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

For all the attention on England's batting, it is the seam bowling that is in a bigger state of flux, and a new-look attack had to deliver on Thursday evening.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

The sight of an Australian bowling attack using a wicketkeeper stood up to the stumps for two of their seam bowlers tells you everything you need to know.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Having Deborah decide to prolong her life with chemo because she could not resist mining this final seam of comedic gold was a coup de grace.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

A story is a seam in a dress—some days it unravels.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye

Related Words

• hem
• joint
• pleat