loom

1 of 3

noun (1)

: a frame or machine for interlacing (see interlace sense 1) at right angles two or more sets of threads or yarns to form a cloth

loom

2 of 3

verb

loomed; looming; looms

intransitive verb

1
: to come into sight in enlarged or distorted and indistinct form often as a result of atmospheric conditions
Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
2
a
: to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form
deficits loomed large
b
: to take shape as an impending occurrence
the problems that loomed ahead

loom

3 of 3

noun (2)

: the indistinct and exaggerated appearance of something seen on the horizon or through fog or darkness
also : a looming shadow or reflection

Examples of loom in a Sentence

Verb Storm clouds loomed on the horizon. The mountains loom above the valley.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Financial sacrifices, dilemmas loom Norfolk military families said the shutdown had heightened the stakes of their financial choices, from comparison-shopping for the cheapest toilet paper to frequenting Costco to buy in bulk. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025 Media days loom, practices gear up and teams will surely book non-conference flights. Noah White, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
Still, critics say, Starship was likely chosen for its future promise, not for its potential to perform under an ever-looming deadline. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025 In the looming contract talks between Hollywood studios and above-the-line unions, confusion around AI and issues raised by the debut of synthetic actress Tilly Norwood are certain to be key themes. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loom

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English lome tool, loom, from Old English gelōma tool; akin to Middle Dutch allame tool

Verb and Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loom was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loom. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

loom

1 of 2 noun
: a frame or machine for weaving threads or yarns to produce cloth

loom

2 of 2 verb
1
: to appear suddenly and often with a large, dim, or strange form
loomed out of the fog
2
: to be about to happen

More from Merriam-Webster on loom

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