seam
Americannoun
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the line formed by sewing together pieces of cloth, leather, or the like.
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the stitches used to make such a line.
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any line formed by abutting edges.
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any linear indentation or mark, as a wrinkle or scar.
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Knitting. a line of stitches formed by purling.
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Geology. a comparatively thin stratum; a bed, as of coal.
verb (used with object)
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to join with or as if with stitches; make the seam or seams of.
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to furrow; mark with wrinkles, scars, etc.
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Knitting. to knit with or in a seam.
verb (used without object)
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to become cracked, fissured, or furrowed.
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Knitting. to make a line of stitches by purling.
noun
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the line along which pieces of fabric are joined, esp by stitching
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a ridge or line made by joining two edges
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a stratum of coal, ore, etc
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a linear indentation, such as a wrinkle or scar
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surgery another name for suture
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(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
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full to overflowing
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dialect doing well, esp financially
verb
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(tr) to join or sew together by or as if by a seam
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to make ridges in (knitting) using purl stitch
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to mark or become marked with or as if with a seam or wrinkle
Other Word Forms
- seamer noun
- underseam noun
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 ( hymen )
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.
The women poured over each seam, inspecting the sister’s dresses, petticoats, and stockings.
From Literature
The teenager found some aspects of her uniform so uncomfortable that they became painful, like the embroidered logo, seams and tag on her polo shirt, her dad says.
From BBC
The one who sewed patches on his holey backpack and the ripped seams on his shirts.
From Literature
Several longer tracks comprise shorter parts stitched together haphazardly, the seams still showing.
The senses offer a rich seam of research and philosophers, neuroscientists and psychologists work together at the Centre for the Study of the Senses at the University of London’s School of Advanced Study.
From Science Daily
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.
