balm

noun

ˈbäm  ˈbälm 

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 of balm

• scent
• fragrance
• fragrancy
• aroma
• perfume

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

Landing somewhere between a lip oil and a balm, Noto uses deeply nourishing ingredients like rosehip seed oil, olive oil and peppermint and spearmint oils to achieve a barely there sheen and burst of fresh. —Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026

Creams and balms melt into skin without tugging, while newer powder formulas are silky enough to avoid that chalky, flat look. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026

There’s something wildly freeing about traveling with just your phone, cards, and a lip balm—and this JW Pei crossbody gets that. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026

Bee balm is one answer to the soggy garden dilemma. —Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing balm

• balm of Gilead
• bee balm
• lemon balm

Rhymes for balm

• bom
• bomb
• calm
• dom
• halm
• hom
• malm
• mam
• mom
• palm
• pom
• pomme

Kids Definition

balm

noun

ˈbäm  ˈbälm 

1

: resin from small tropical evergreen trees

2

: a fragrant healing or soothing preparation (as an ointment)

3

: something that comforts or refreshes

Medical Definition

balm

noun

ˈbä(l)m, New England also ˈbȧm

1

: a balsamic resin

especially : one from small tropical evergreen trees (genus Commiphora of the family Burseraceae)

2

: an aromatic preparation (as a healing ointment)

3

: a soothing restorative agency