seam

play

noun \ˈsēm\

Definition of seam

1a : the joining of two pieces (as of cloth or leather) by sewing usually near the edgeb : the stitching used in such a joining
2 : the space between adjacent planks or strakes of a ship
3a : a line, groove, or ridge formed by the abutment of edgesb : a thin layer or stratum (as of rock) between distinctive layers; also : a bed of valuable mineral and especially coal irrespective of thicknessc : a line left by a cut or wound; also : wrinkle
4 : a weak or vulnerable area or gap found a seam in the zone defense

seamlike

play \-ˌlīk\ adjective

at the seams

: entirely, completely falling apart at the seams

See seam defined for English-language learners

See seam defined for kids

Examples of seam in a Sentence

the seams of a dress
the seams of a boat
a rich seam of iron ore

Recent Examples of seam from the Web

Each suit is seamless, to avoid lumpiness and pulling, as a seam can easily pull a little too tight.

— madeline fass, Teen Vogue, "We Talked to Chloe Madison of Rheya, the Body-Positive Swimwear Line That Features No Photoshop," 11 July 2017
So the shop is bursting at the seams like a brat cooked on the grill a little too fast.

— polly campbell, Cincinnati.com, "What's old is new again at Downtown meat market Avril Bleh," 30 June 2017
The existing model is small, measuring about 7 by 7.6 inches, some of which is lost due to the thick side seams.

— joe ray, WIRED, "Review: Stasher Bags for Sous Vide," 28 June 2017
Sneakers with thick North African-style threading were imagined in a multicolored palette below a silken green tracksuit with thick white Balkan-style seams.

— Washington Post, "Valentino headlines first day of Paris Fashion Week menswear," 21 June 2017
BRUTALISM AT BIKKEMBERGS Lee Wood laid the seams bare at Dirk Bikkembergs during his second season as its creative director.

— colleen barry, The Seattle Times, "Prada takes inspiration from graphic novels for Milan show," 18 June 2017
During team drills near the end of practice, McCaffrey took a handoff, found a seam on the right side and broke through for a long gain (against a defense that wasn’t tackling).

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "Carolina Panthers’ offseason: No Cam Newton. No Christian McCaffrey. No problem?," 15 June 2017
A wind farm in Scranton, Pa., sitting over ancient coal seams, will soon power Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s data centers in New Jersey.

— liz hoffman, WSJ, "Goldman’s Green Push Comes With a Trading Twist," 12 June 2017
About a third of eastern Australia’s gas is now supplied by coal-seam gas.

— perry williams, Bloomberg.com, "Why Australia Can't Get at Its Huge Underground Gas Reserves," 12 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of seam

Middle English seem, from Old English sēam; akin to Old English sīwian to sew — more at sew

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought

seam

verb

Definition of seam

transitive verb
1a : to join by sewingb : to join as if by sewing (as by welding, riveting, or heat-sealing)
2 : to mark with lines suggesting seams
intransitive verb
: to become fissured or ridgy

seamer

noun

Examples of seam in a Sentence

in fencing circles it is a mark of honor to have one's face seamed with saber cuts

First Known Use of seam

1582

SEAM Defined for English Language Learners

seam

play

noun

Definition of seam for English Language Learners

: a line where two pieces of cloth or other material are sewn together
: a line where two pieces of wood, metal, dough, etc., are joined together
: a layer of coal, rock, etc., that is between two other layers of rock underground