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palm

1 American  
[pahm] / pɑm /

noun

  1. the part of the inner surface of the hand that extends from the wrist to the bases of the fingers.

  2. the corresponding part of the forefoot of an animal.

  3. the part of a glove covering this part of the hand.

  4. Also called sailmaker's palm.  a stiff rawhide or metal shield worn over this part of the hand by sailmakers to serve as a thimble.

  5. a linear measure of from 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters), based on the breadth of the hand.

  6. a linear measure of from 7 to 10 inches (17.5 to 25 centimeters), based on the length of the hand.

  7. the flat, expanded part of the horn or antler of a deer.

  8. a flat, widened part at the end of an armlike projection.

  9. Nautical.

    1. the blade of an oar.

    2. the inner face of an anchor fluke.

    3. (loosely) an anchor fluke.

  10. a flat-topped bearing member at the head of a stanchion.

verb (used with object)

  1. to conceal in the palm, as in cheating at cards or dice or in juggling.

  2. to pick up stealthily.

  3. to hold in the hand.

  4. to impose (something) fraudulently (usually followed by on orupon ).

    to palm stolen jewels on someone.

  5. to touch or stroke with the palm or hand.

  6. to shake hands with.

  7. Basketball. to grip (the ball) momentarily with the hand in the act of dribbling.

verb phrase

  1. palm off to dispose of by deception, trickery, or fraud; substitute (something) with intent to deceive.

    Someone had palmed off a forgery on the museum officials.

idioms

  1. grease someone's palm, to bribe: Also cross someone's palm

    Before any work could begin, it was necessary to grease the superintendent's palm.
palm 2 American  
[pahm] / pɑm /

noun

  1. any of numerous plants of the family Palmae, most species being tall, unbranched trees surmounted by a crown of large pinnate or palmately cleft leaves.

  2. any of various other trees or shrubs that resemble this.

  3. a leaf or branch of such a tree, especially as formerly borne to signify victory or as used on festive occasions.

  4. a representation of such a leaf or branch, as on a military or other decoration of honor, usually indicating a second award of the decoration.

  5. the reward of honor due to a victor.

    In oratory she yields the palm to no one.

  6. victory; triumph; success.

    He carried off the palm by sheer perseverance.
palm 1 British  
/ pɑːm /

noun

  1. the inner part of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers

  2. a corresponding part in animals, esp apes and monkeys

  3. a linear measure based on the breadth or length of a hand, equal to three to four inches or seven to ten inches respectively

  4. the part of a glove that covers the palm

  5. a hard leather shield worn by sailmakers to protect the palm of the hand

    1. the side of the blade of an oar that faces away from the direction of a boat's movement during a stroke

    2. the face of the fluke of an anchor

  7. a flattened or expanded part of the antlers of certain deer

  8. at one's mercy or command

"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

verb

  1. to conceal in or about the hand, as in sleight-of-hand tricks

  2. to touch or soothe with the palm of the hand

"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
palm 2 British  
/ pɑːm /

noun

  1. any treelike plant of the tropical and subtropical monocotyledonous family Arecaceae (formerly Palmae or Palmaceae ), usually having a straight unbranched trunk crowned with large pinnate or palmate leaves

  2. a leaf or branch of any of these trees, a symbol of victory, success, etc

  3. merit or victory

  4. an emblem or insignia representing a leaf or branch worn on certain military decorations

"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
palm More Idioms  

    More idioms and phrases containing palm

Other Word Forms

  • palmlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of palm1

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin palma (cognate with Old English folm “hand”); replacing Middle English paume, from Middle French, from Latin palma

Origin of palm2

First recorded before 900; Middle English palm(e), paume, pame, Old English palm, palma, from Latin palma “palm tree,” special use of palma palm 1

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.

Two witnesses on the Palm -- an upscale, palm tree-shaped residential and leisure development -- heard an explosion and saw smoke rising from a five-star hotel.

From Barron's

Flames and smoke erupted from a luxury hotel on Dubai's Palm, the landmark, palm tree-shaped development of land reclaimed from the sea, after a loud bang sent passers-by scurrying for cover.

From Barron's

The bar’s back patio was decked out with tea lights and potted palm plants.

From Los Angeles Times

"They were skilled craftspeople. You can tell they carried the objects with them. Many of them fit very well in the hand, just the right size to fit in the palm," says Dutkiewicz.

From BBC

The brokerage sets palm oil’s support and resistance levels at 4,020 ringgit and 4,145 ringgit a ton, respectively.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.