1
: a rotating or sliding piece (such as an eccentric wheel or a cylinder with an irregular shape) in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice versa
2
: camshaft
an engine with a single overhead cam
: camera
especially
: video camera
1
computer-aided manufacturing
2
complementary and alternative medicine
Examples of cam in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Reuters, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024
For more information watch the live cams on explore.org.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024
Generally, the biggest difference between a typical 4-stroke engine and the 6-stroke design is in the cam and valve timing.
—New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2024
Using deer scent can help pull bucks in front of cams, stop deer for shot opportunities, or maybe encourage a buck to use your trail instead of another 20 or 30 yards away.
—Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cam 
Noun
No injuries were reported, but live cam footage showed an airplane had been taxiing nearby just two minutes before the explosion, according to local broadcaster MRT.
—Reuters, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024
For more information watch the live cams on explore.org.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024
Generally, the biggest difference between a typical 4-stroke engine and the 6-stroke design is in the cam and valve timing.
—New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2024
Using deer scent can help pull bucks in front of cams, stop deer for shot opportunities, or maybe encourage a buck to use your trail instead of another 20 or 30 yards away.
—Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cam
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cam.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cam
Cite this Entry
“Cam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cam. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cam
1 of 2 noun
: a device by which circular motion may be transformed into stop-and-start or back-and-forth motion
cam
2 of 2 nounEtymology
Noun
perhaps from French came "cam," from German Kamm, literally, "comb"
Medical Definition
CAM
abbreviation2
complementary and alternative medicine
According to a 2002 survey by the National Center for Health Statistics, 36 percent of adults in the United States used some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including naturopathy, relaxation techniques, chiropractic, yoga, massage, and diets.—In-Sung Yoo, The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware)
In-Sung Yoo, The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware)Geographical Definition
Cam
geographical name
river 40 miles (64 kilometers) long in Cambridgeshire, east central England, flowing into the Ouse River
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