balm

noun \ ˈbä(l)m \

Definition of balm

1 :a balsamic (see balsamic 1) resin; especially :one from small tropical evergreen trees (genus Commiphora of the family Burseraceae)

2 :an aromatic preparation (such as a healing ointment)

applied a balm to the wound

3 botany :any of several aromatic plants of the mint family; especially :lemon balm

4 :a spicy aromatic odor

… the white lilies in the garden, the herb bed near the bees—everything sent out fragrance and balm into the soft air …
—Agnes S. Turnbull

5 :a soothing restorative agency

Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.
—Jane Austen

See balm defined for English-language learners

See balm defined for kids

Examples of balm in a Sentence

Art can be a balm to the soul.
She shows that laughter is a balm for difficult times.

Recent Examples of balm from the Web

The result: a handful of cool colors that feel like lip balm and are bound to perfectly complement all your neon strobing, neon eyeliner, and neon nail looks this summer.

— sarah wu, Teen Vogue, "Bite Beauty Launches The Nearly Neon Collection," 5 July 2017
No Longer Hopeless Dear No Longer: Solitude and time in nature are true balms for the soul.

— amy dickinson, chicagotribune.com, "Children fret about elderly mother's risky life," 5 July 2017
No Longer Hopeless Dear No Longer: Solitude and time in nature are true balms for the soul.

— amy dickinson, Detroit Free Press, "Ask Amy: Children fret about elderly mother’s risky life," 4 July 2017
It is now filled with 30 to 40 species of prairie perennials like wild geranium, coreopsis, wild hydrangea, Echinacea, garden phlox and bee balm.

— roxie hammill, kansascity, "They’re not tidy, but natural yards provide a boost to the ecosystem with native plants," 30 June 2017
Apply lip balm to your eyelid to make your eye shadow more dewy.

— brooke shunatona, Cosmopolitan, "11 Halloween Looks You Can Create With Makeup You Already Have," 30 June 2017
A sudden unseasonable temperature spike always feels like a balm for winter wounds.

— jake malooley, Chicago Reader, "‘That first warm day’ should be an official Chicago holiday," 22 June 2017
However, debates are ongoing, with Swedes conflicted over believing and accepting such simple, near-homeopathic balms for what, for many, can be a debilitating, months-long emotional downturn.

— david jefferys, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why One in Fifty Swedes Travels to Thailand Every Year," 21 June 2017
Quality nurseries offer special sections filled with hummingbird favorites such as honeysuckle, salvia, hyssop, hardy fuchsia, evergreen Penstemon, bee balm and many others.

— ciscoe morris, The Seattle Times, "How to create a garden haven for hummingbirds," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'balm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of balm

Middle English basme, baume, from Anglo-French, from Latin balsamum balsam

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

balm Synonyms

Synonyms

aroma, attar (also otto), fragrance, bouquet, fragrancy, incense, perfume, redolence, scent, spice

Antonyms

fetor, malodor, reek, stench, stink

Related Words

essence, odor

Other Pharmacology Terms

anodyne, cathartic, emetic, emollient, liniment, paregoric, poultice, purgative, soporific, spectrum

BALM Defined for English Language Learners

balm

noun

Definition of balm for English Language Learners

: an oily substance that has a pleasant smell and that is used for healing, smoothing, or protecting the skin
: something that gives comfort or support