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• 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

• toms
  plural

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

2. a tomcat.

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Tom ² American  

[tom] / tɒm /

noun

1. Uncle Tom.

2. a male given name, form of Thomas.

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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.

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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

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tom ² British  

/ tɒm /

noun

1. a temporary supporting post

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Tom Idioms  

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• toms
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of tom

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tom Tom ToM toms

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

The sheer deliciousness of the red-orange-oil-slicked tom yum version — with huge wild-caught Gulf shrimp and just-right spice — makes sense now, knowing the Lertsirisins’ story.

From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2024

Tiravanija’s early relational pieces — offering curry and tom ka soup, sodas and beers, grass mats and pillows for weary visitors — appeared as museums increasingly promoted the politics of multiculturalism.

From New York Times ● Dec. 21, 2023

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

The bitter cold outside had also chased our old tom Lucifer in, and he was curled up in Dad’s easy chair.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Inés Gómez Mont, who once declared her love for Tom Brady in dramatic fashion, was detained by ICE in Miami over her immigration status.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

Sir Tom Jones has told fans he feared his life was "over" after being admitted to hospital in the US with flu.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

Tom Waits also turns up, radiating his usual hangdog appeal, for another tangential but important scene.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

Here are a few interesting factoids, courtesy of Tom Essaye, founder and president of Sevens Report Research:

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026

He had a feeling that Tom might want to adopt him.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

The ideal situation, therefore, would be to relish and use both our full ToM as well as our ability to deny reality, allowing us optimism.

From Salon ● May 25, 2013

But is it possible to hold a full ToM along with a complete recognition of reality?

From Salon ● May 25, 2013

"The big impact is on breeding, especially for toms," Dr. Alan Krakauer, a biologist at the University of California – Davis, told Salon by email.

From Salon ● Nov. 25, 2022

Frozen inventories of whole toms, which generally weigh 16-24 pounds at the store, were down 17%.

From Reuters ● Nov. 16, 2022

And at Wisconsin, Dr. Drake said at least a couple of aggressive toms were culled after repeatedly frightening students.

From New York Times ● Nov. 25, 2021

These theatrical tabbies and toms will survive this latest wreck.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2019

As I gradually got louder, I started flicking little quick shots at the high toms.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick

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