: 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
loomed; looming; looms
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
: 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
Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
Decisions loom as Obamacare subsidies expire And here, from Ken Alltucker, is an update on the millions of Americans who are scrambling to meet a deadline to lock in health insurance coverage for 2026.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Dec. 2025
For three days next week, water leaders from across the Colorado River Basin will gather in Las Vegas to talk about water and the looming failure of the seven basin states to work out differences on a plan to manage the river through drought.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loom
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Noun
When hurricanes invariably loom, evacuation routes clog and a few residents refuse to leave — a choice that proved fatal in 2022, when more than 100 Floridians died, many swept away by surge on Southwest Florida’s barrier islands.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025
Decisions loom as Obamacare subsidies expire And here, from Ken Alltucker, is an update on the millions of Americans who are scrambling to meet a deadline to lock in health insurance coverage for 2026.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
Verb
Regression to the mean always loomed as an ominous potential hurdle for the Heat against the backdrop of a 14-7 start.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Dec. 2025
For three days next week, water leaders from across the Colorado River Basin will gather in Las Vegas to talk about water and the looming failure of the seven basin states to work out differences on a plan to manage the river through drought.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loom
Cite this Entry
“Loom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loom. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
loom
1 of 2 noun
: a frame or machine for weaving threads or yarns to produce cloth
loom
2 of 2 verb1
: to appear suddenly and often with a large, dim, or strange form
loomed out of the fog
2
: to be about to happen
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