Jump to:

• tom
  tom

  noun

  the male of various animals, as the turkey.
• Tom
  Tom

  noun

  Uncle Tom.
• ToM
  ToM

  abbreviation

  theory of mind.

tom

¹ American  

[tom] / tɒm /

noun

1. the male of various animals, as the turkey.

2. a tomcat.

---

Tom ² American  

[tom] / tɒm /

noun

1. Uncle Tom.

2. a male given name, form of Thomas.

---

verb (used without object)

Tommed, Tomming

1. (often lowercase) to act like an Uncle Tom.

ToM ³ American  

Or TOM

abbreviation

1. theory of mind.

---

tom ¹ British  

/ tɒm /

noun

1. 1. the male of various animals, esp the cat

   2. ( as modifier )

      a tom turkey

   3. ( in combination )

      a tomcat

---

tom ² British  

/ tɒm /

noun

1. a temporary supporting post

---

Tom Idioms  

1. see every tom, dick, and harry; peeping tom.

---

Etymology

Origin of tom

First recorded in 1755–65; generic use of the male given name Tom

Example Sentences

It also shines in fish stews and soups of all kinds, from cacciucco to tom kha gai to cioppino or caldeirada.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2025

During concerts, Carlos Niño may set up a bass drum and a floor tom, but his percussion is far from conventional.

From New York Times • May 13, 2024

The white and ginger tom cat, known as Twix, escaped from his carrier on a train traveling between Yekaterinburg and St. Petersburg on Jan. 11.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 21, 2024

Bush offered a public assurance, saying, “this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table.”

From Washington Times • Nov. 21, 2023

Written in meticulous block letters on a page tom from Gogol’s Taras Bulba, it reads: S.O.S.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• kitten
• kitty