balm

noun \ ˈbä(l)m \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

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

Just ask footballer David Beckham, whose new men’s grooming line, House 99, includes an eye balm and a face moisturizer, gateway drugs to the expanding universe of male primping.

— jacob gallagher, WSJ, "More Men Are Wearing Makeup Than You Think—Here’s Why," 13 Apr. 2018
Another example of innovation is the combination of beauty balm cream, BB cream, with an air cushion compact, Cho said.

— marian liu, CNN, "Beyond beauty: Korean makeup provides 'cosmeceuticals'," 11 Apr. 2018
Sunshine & Glitter also have glitter lip balm and glitter after sun for anyone who needs some aloe after staying out in the sun for a while.

— tamara fuentes, Seventeen, "Glitter Sunscreen Actually Exists, So You Can Protect Your Skin AND Keep It Sparkly," 9 Apr. 2018
Tell me about the still life with the Glossier lip balm and green juice—and the copy of Teen Vogue.

— bridget read, Vogue, "In Detroit, Finding Art on the Shelf at Your Local Bodega," 6 Apr. 2018
The boxes are a tribute to those lost to war but also a healing balm for those left behind.

— Washington Post, "Memory boxes capture Afghans’ pain of war, attempt to heal," 10 Apr. 2018
Bobbi brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base, $60; bobbibrown.com Crushed Lip Color After launching in September 2018, this balm-like lipstick instantly sold out — and for good reason.

— jillian ruffo, PEOPLE.com, "Bobbi Brown's Entire Site Is 25 Percent Off Right Now! Here's Everything You Need to Buy," 8 Apr. 2018
Over the past month, GlaxoSmithKline, Reckitt Benckiser, and Johnson & Johnson have already looked at the business, which sells Chapstick lip balm, Advil pain reliever, and Centrum vitamins.

— ed silverman, STAT, "Pharmalittle: Will P&G buy the Pfizer consumer unit? China looks to boost generic production," 4 Apr. 2018
Toiletries are definitely a welcome contribution, too, including deodorant, shampoo, soap, lotion, sunscreen, body wash, lip balm, feminine hygiene supplies (especially sanitary pads), acne wash, nail care kits, even diapers and pull-ups.

— courtney mcgee, baltimoresun.com, "Spring Drive for Schools to help Towson area, other children in need," 28 Mar. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

balm Synonyms

Other Pharmacology Terms

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

BALM Defined for English Language Learners

balm

noun

: 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