balm

noun

\ ˈbä(l)m

Definition of balm

1 : a balsamic (see balsamic sense 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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about balm

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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 on the Web

But lip balm is super essential for saxophone playing. — Dani Deahl, The Verge, "What’s in your bag, Big Gigantic?," 21 June 2019 Deodorant, lip balm, and other items considered precious to teenagers are neatly lined up on the shelves. — Liz Bowie, baltimoresun.com, "How a nonprofit turned Baltimore County school storage rooms into a free general store for students in need," 11 June 2019 Seventh Sense uses cannabidiol in lotions, body wash, lip balms and other products. — Bob Bong, Daily Southtown, "Comings & Goings: U.S. Bank closing local branches," 10 June 2019 The multipurpose lip balm promises to nourish and repair your pout, while sealing in moisture and staying put. — De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Glossier Launches Mango-Flavored Balm Dotcom," 23 Mar. 2019 That sickness of soul calls for the balm that Mahalia Jackson sang about, and so many others before her. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "What two fictional Gileads can teach us about America in 2018," 12 July 2018 The final step: a swipe of Kiehl's Butterstick Lip Treatment ($20; sephora.com) over the balm to achieve a natural-looking nude shade. — Lisa Desantis, Health.com, "Millie Bobby Brown's Braided Top Knot Deserves Its Own Golden Globe," 7 Jan. 2018 In the gap between late grunge and the commercial rise of hip-hop and rap-rock, Hootie was a balm. — Jon Caramanica, New York Times, "Hootie & the Blowfish, Great American Rock Band (Yes, Really)," 6 June 2019 Winky Lux just launched Rainbow Balm, a tinted lip balm to celebrate Pride. — Marci Robin, Allure, "Winky Lux’s New pH-Activated Rainbow Lip Balm Is Perfect for Pride," 31 May 2019

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.