slum
noun
Often slums. a thickly populated, run-down, squalid part of a city, inhabited by poor people.
slums
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pluralof slum.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof slum (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
slumnounOften slums. a thickly populated, run-down, squalid part of a city, inhabited by poor people.
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.
Authorities often attempt to hem in or demolish slums rather than extend electricity, paved roads or schools to them.
From Barron's ● Jan. 16, 2026
Mr. Mamdani knows full well that rent restrictions produce slums.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 11, 2026
He has also appeared at demonstrations, and spent Christmas Day visiting some slums and dancing with people in the streets.
From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2026
Relating his journey to becoming a visual storyteller, Thomas recalled growing up in “one of the worst slums of Philadelphia,” sitting on his front stoop reading Shakespeare, James Baldwin and Tennessee Williams, immersed and transported.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 17, 2025
Whenever he returned to Boston, he strongly urged Farmer, Ophelia, and Jim to consider starting a PIH project in Lima’s slums.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
