bam

noun \ ˈbam \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of bam

: a sudden loud noise —often used interjectionally to indicate a sudden impact or occurrence

was fine, then bam, he lost his job

See bam defined for English-language learners

Examples of bam in a Sentence

We heard a loud bam.

Recent Examples of bam from the Web

There’s all these names in there, and then, bam: the Irwin sock and the Frieda sock.

— gordy megroz, Outside Online, "Why Your North Face Jacket Is Called a "Ceptor"," 26 Mar. 2018
Lamouruex-Davidson pumped her right arm — bam — knowing that if U.S. goaltender Maddie Rooney could make just one more save, the gold medal would return to America.

— sean gregory / gangneung, Time, "U.S. Pulls off Shootout Victory Over Arch Rival Canada to Win Women's Hockey Gold," 22 Feb. 2018
Bravo, then, to the sound designer, Jane Shaw, but kudos also to Houghton, whose play proceeds much along the same pattern — gentle as a summer rain until, bam, in Act 2, something electric happens to charge the air.

— laura collins-hughes, New York Times, "Review: In ‘Hindle Wakes,’ Should a Fling Lead Straight to the Altar?," 19 Jan. 2018
In its very spareness Women and Power gains some wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am appeal.

— josephine livingstone, New Republic, "Mary Beard’s Medusas," 19 Dec. 2017
With a quick shake-out of her famously high-volume curls, Khan is ready for the final percussive finishes of perfume (bam!), fan (bam!), megawatt smile (bam!).

— mackenzie wagoner, Vogue, "Chaka Khan Reveals the Secrets Behind Her Diva Makeup Ritual," 19 Dec. 2017
The deputy immediately ordered ballistic testing, and bam -- the results were a match for the firearm used to kill Tupac.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Police Have Found the Gun That Killed Tupac," 15 Dec. 2017
And then, bam, Cruz goes full Zodiac Killer on everyone involved.

— devon elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Ted Cruz Made a Joke About Being the Zodiac Killer," 18 Oct. 2017
Pair a new one under a suit that's seen better days and—bam—instant polish.

— matt sebra, GQ, "The Best White Dress Shirt Under $100 Is on Sale," 2 Oct. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of bam

imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1772

See Words from the same year

BAM

abbreviation

Definition of BAM

1 bachelor of applied mathematics

2 bachelor of arts in music

BAM Defined for English Language Learners

bam

noun

Definition of bam for English Language Learners

: a sudden loud noise

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