1
: a rotating or sliding piece (such as an eccentric wheel or a cylinder with an irregular shape) in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice versa
2
: camshaft
an engine with a single overhead cam
: camera
especially
: video camera
1
computer-aided manufacturing
2
complementary and alternative medicine
Examples of cam in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Action cams prioritize video features, but the Mission 1 Pro also takes still photos.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 11 June 2026
Dash cam video also showed the driver moving through the race course several times, nearly hitting athletes, according to the sheriff's office.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 11 June 2026
The first part is the story of a love affair involving a cam girl.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cam
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Noun
The anticipation is so great that a live cam has been placed near the structure that gives a view of the facade so interested parties can watch when the event actually happens.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Action cams prioritize video features, but the Mission 1 Pro also takes still photos.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 11 June 2026
Dash cam video also showed the driver moving through the race course several times, nearly hitting athletes, according to the sheriff's office.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 11 June 2026
The first part is the story of a love affair involving a cam girl.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cam
Cite this Entry
“Cam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cam. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cam
1 of 2 noun
: a device by which circular motion may be transformed into stop-and-start or back-and-forth motion
cam
2 of 2 nounEtymology
Noun
perhaps from French came "cam," from German Kamm, literally, "comb"
Medical Definition
CAM
abbreviation2
complementary and alternative medicine
According to a 2002 survey by the National Center for Health Statistics, 36 percent of adults in the United States used some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including naturopathy, relaxation techniques, chiropractic, yoga, massage, and diets.—In-Sung Yoo, The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware)
In-Sung Yoo, The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware)Geographical Definition
Cam
geographical name
river 40 miles (64 kilometers) long in Cambridgeshire, east central England, flowing into the Ouse River
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