calm

noun

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\ ˈkäm

, ˈkälm

, ˈkam, ˈkȯ(l)m \

Definition of calm

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : a period or condition of freedom from storms, high winds, or rough activity of water a sailing ship motionless in the calm

b : complete absence of wind or presence of wind having a speed no greater than one mile (1.6 kilometers) per hour — see Beaufort Scale Table

2 : a state of tranquility At dusk a quiet calm settled over the town.

calm

verb

calmed; calming; calms

Definition of calm (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to become calm —usually used with down The mayor asked the protesters to calm down so he could speak.

transitive verb

: to make calm —often used with down calm him down; get him to be reasonable— S. H. Adams

calm

adjective

Definition of calm (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : marked by calm : still a calm sea

2 : free from agitation, excitement, or disturbance

Other Words from calm Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About calm

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Choose the Right Synonym for calm

Adjective

calm, tranquil, serene, placid, peaceful mean quiet and free from disturbance. calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence. the protests ended, and the streets were calm again tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure. the tranquil beauty of a formal garden serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility. watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency. remained placid despite the criticism peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil. grown peaceful in old age

Examples of calm in a Sentence

Noun After two days of violent protests, the mayor appealed for calm. The calm was broken by another terrorist bombing. the calm of a church Police tried to restore calm after the riot. A quiet calm settled over the city. Verb His words were effective in calming her fears. The medicine helped calm her breathing. Adjective The teacher asked us to remain calm after the fire alarm went off. Let's try to have a calm discussion about your grades.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun As day turned to night, an uncanny quiet fell, with the remnants of Ghani’s government calling for calm. — Marcus Yam, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2021 Mandela went on national radio and television to appeal for calm. — John Blake, CNN, 18 July 2021 President Biden has condemned the assassination and appealed for calm, but his administration has rebuffed requests from Haiti’s government for American military assistance to help shore up security. — Washington Post, 15 July 2021 President Biden has condemned the assassination and appealed for calm, but his administration has rebuffed requests from Haiti’s government for American military assistance to help shore up security. — Alex Horton, Anchorage Daily News, 15 July 2021 Garrett Knajdek also called for calm in the streets from anyone upset about the death of his sister, who was also known as Deona Erickson. — John Reinan, Star Tribune, 14 June 2021 While pushing for calm, the Biden administration has also been careful not to rupture relations with Israel. — New York Times, 25 May 2021 And one rule of thumb to keep in mind throughout: Keeping calm is always key. — Time, 12 Aug. 2021 Elizabeth Collins, a sales associate in West Virginia, tells Allure that applying makeup every morning has not only been a nice distraction, but a way to keep her calm in an intense work environment. — Sarah Han, Allure, 9 Aug. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Outside the house, Fidyka and Justyna tried to calm Jaroslaw down. — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2021 Rankin’s mother, Melissa Rankin, tried to calm O’Bryant down. — Deneen L. Brown, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2021 Officers and state troopers responded and tried to calm the situation by developing a rapport with the football star, authorities said. — Gene Johnson, Star Tribune, 14 July 2021 Officers and state troopers responded and tried to calm the situation by developing a rapport with the football star, authorities said. — Gene Johnson, ajc, 14 July 2021 Hotel security arrived and tried unsuccessfully to calm the stormy waters of the dispute, Kaligos said, then decided to escort the group from the pool. — Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 June 2021 Biden's national security team has sought to calm tensions since that diplomatic flare-up. — Deirdre Shesgreen, USA TODAY, 25 May 2021 The latest violence came despite appeals from U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Irish Premier Micheal Martin and U.S. President Joe Biden to calm tensions. — Peter Morrison And Danica Kirka, chicagotribune.com, 9 Apr. 2021 Finish off your skin-care routine with the Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater to calm and hydrate skin and the Rose Lip Balm to nourish dry, cracked lips any time of the day. — Sarah Han, Allure, 22 July 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Footage shared by local journalist Matt Masters captured a chaotic post-meeting scene in which anti-mask demonstrators verbally attacked and threatened those supporting the mask mandate, despite local authorities' pleas to remain calm. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 12 Aug. 2021 Remain calm and remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. — Time, 12 Aug. 2021 His strategy for winning is to watch his opponent closely and remain calm. — Peter Aitken, Fox News, 7 Aug. 2021 The training urges the employee to remain calm and explain to consumers that it’s the management’s policy or a regulatory mandate, and to try to provide alternatives when possible. — Michelle Cheng, Quartz, 5 Aug. 2021 Even with storm chances on Saturday, waters will remain calm throughout the weekend with wave heights under a foot expected Friday - Sunday. — Mike Rose, cleveland, 5 Aug. 2021 In the face of big feelings, remain calm, give kids a chance to settle their intense emotions and validate their feelings. — Christine Koh, CNN, 5 Aug. 2021 Try to maintain a positive, optimistic disposition at all times, and remain calm under pressure. — Timothy Carter, Forbes, 7 July 2021 The communication was calm and measured, Burke said, and the company’s internal meetings were not filled with fear, anxiety, or tension. — BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2021

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

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Dictionary Entries Near calm

call-waiting

calm

calmative

Statistics for calm

Last Updated

27 Aug 2021

Cite this Entry

“Calm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2021.

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More Definitions for calm

calm

noun

English Language Learners Definition of calm

(Entry 1 of 3)

: a quiet and peaceful state or condition

: a peaceful mental or emotional state

calm

verb

English Language Learners Definition of calm (Entry 2 of 3)

: to become or to cause (someone) to become less upset, emotional, excited, etc.

: to become or to cause (something) to become less active, violent, forceful, etc.

calm

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of calm (Entry 3 of 3)

: not angry, upset, excited, etc.

—used to describe weather that is not windy, stormy, etc.

See the full definition for calm in the English Language Learners Dictionary

calm

noun

\ ˈkäm

, ˈkälm \

Kids Definition of calm

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a period or condition of freedom from storm, wind, or rough water

2 : a quiet and peaceful state We enjoyed the calm of the countryside.

calm

verb

calmed; calming

Kids Definition of calm (Entry 2 of 3)

: to make or become less active or disturbed —often used with down The music calmed her.The winds calmed down overnight.

calm

adjective

calmer; calmest

Kids Definition of calm (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : not stormy or windy a calm night

2 : not excited or upset a calm reply Please remain calm.

Choose the Right Synonym for calm

Adjective

calm, peaceful, and tranquil mean quiet and free from disturbance. calm is used when someone is not excited or upset even when there is cause for it. They stayed calm during the fire. peaceful is used when someone or something has reached a quiet state after some period of disturbance. The storm is over and the lake is peaceful again. tranquil is used for a total or lasting state of rest. They stopped at a tranquil garden.