carom

1 of 2

noun

car·​om ˈker-əm 

ˈka-rəm

1

a

: a shot in billiards in which the cue ball strikes each of two object balls

b

: a shot in pool in which an object ball strikes another ball before falling into a pocket compare combination shot

2

: a rebounding especially at an angle

carom

2 of 2

verb

caromed; caroming; caroms

intransitive verb

1

: to strike and rebound : glance

the car caromed off a tree

2

: to make a carom

3

: to proceed by or as if by caroms

carom from city to city

Synonyms of carom

Verb

• bounce
• rebound
• ricochet

Examples of carom in a Sentence

Verb

a ball caromed off the wall

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ramos played the carom of the sidewall perfectly and fired a throw to second, prompting Moreno to slam on the brakes and retreat to first. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 July 2026

The carom allowed Cole Carrigg to slide in headfirst with the winning run. — ABC News, 22 June 2026

Verb

But Muharemovic got his feet crossed, allowing the ball to carom to Balogun who did the rest, sweeping the ball into the net with his left boot from about 15 feet. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Caminero turned and started to running to second as the ball caromed off the rail in front of the Rays dugout, but slowed down as got close. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

by shortening & alteration from obsolete carambole, from Spanish carambola

First Known Use

Noun

1779, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for carom

• arum
• ferrum
• harem
• alarum
• antiserum

Kids Definition

carom

1 of 2 noun

car·​om ˈkar-əm 

: a rebounding especially at an angle

carom

2 of 2 verb

: to strike and rebound at an angle