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
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
Agnes S. Turnbull5
: a soothing restorative agency
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.—Jane Austen
Jane AustenExamples 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
Also referred to as petroleum jelly, which is the primary ingredient of Vaseline, it was invented during the 1800s as a cure-all balm and has become a household staple since.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
Prada Beauty is peeling back time with a new hydrating lip balm.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
The spa menu boasts a long list of bodywork treatments options, including the fire & ice massage, which soothes sore muscles with a combination of hot stones and cooling recovery balm, facials and body scrubs using ingredients from the forest, and a fireside massage package for two.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
The balm, which has also been worn by big-name stars like Lily Collins and Sarah Jessica Parker, is fragrance-free, vegan, and made with Vitamin E for hydration.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for balm
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Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
Prada Beauty is peeling back time with a new hydrating lip balm.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
The spa menu boasts a long list of bodywork treatments options, including the fire & ice massage, which soothes sore muscles with a combination of hot stones and cooling recovery balm, facials and body scrubs using ingredients from the forest, and a fireside massage package for two.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
The balm, which has also been worn by big-name stars like Lily Collins and Sarah Jessica Parker, is fragrance-free, vegan, and made with Vitamin E for hydration.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for balm
Cite this Entry
“Balm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balm. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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