: a frame or machine for interlacing (see interlace sense 1) at right angles two or more sets of threads or yarns to form a cloth
loomed; looming; looms
1
: to come into sight in enlarged or distorted and indistinct form often as a result of atmospheric conditions
Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
2
a
: to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form
deficits loomed large
b
: to take shape as an impending occurrence
the problems that loomed ahead
: the indistinct and exaggerated appearance of something seen on the horizon or through fog or darkness
also
: a looming shadow or reflection
Examples of loom in a Sentence
Verb
Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
The mountains loom above the valley.
Recent Examples on the Web
Will Jeanes, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Early returns showed voters opposing a city tax proposal that would patch future budget gaps as pension costs loom over Oakland’s economic future.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Josh Kendall, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Held in Évian-les-Bains, France, from June 15 to 17, this is the president’s fifth time attending the conference in person and comes amid heightened global turmoil, with the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine expected to loom large over the summit’s economic and geopolitical agenda.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for loom
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Noun
Not the 10 best, but rather the ones that have, for a variety of reasons, had the biggest impact on the sport and loom largest in its history.
—Will Jeanes, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Early returns showed voters opposing a city tax proposal that would patch future budget gaps as pension costs loom over Oakland’s economic future.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Verb
Questions about his status with the team have loomed since then.
—Josh Kendall, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Held in Évian-les-Bains, France, from June 15 to 17, this is the president’s fifth time attending the conference in person and comes amid heightened global turmoil, with the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine expected to loom large over the summit’s economic and geopolitical agenda.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for loom
Cite this Entry
“Loom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loom. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
loom
1 of 2 noun
: a frame or machine for weaving threads or yarns to produce cloth
loom
2 of 2 verb1
: to appear suddenly and often with a large, dim, or strange form
loomed out of the fog
2
: to be about to happen
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