seam

play

noun \ ˈsēm \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of seam

1 a :the joining of two pieces (as of cloth or leather) by sewing usually near the edge

b :the stitching used in such a joining

2 :the space between adjacent planks or strakes of a ship

3 a :a line, groove, or ridge formed by the abutment of edges

b :a thin layer or stratum (as of rock) between distinctive layers; also :a bed of valuable mineral and especially coal irrespective of thickness

c :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

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seamlike

play \ˈsēm-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

On the final snap of the day for the No. 1 offense, Jake Browning made a perfect throw — had to be his best of camp — down the left seam to hit sophomore WR Aaron Fuller in stride for a 35-yard touchdown against zone coverage.

— adam jude, The Seattle Times, "UW Huskies practice notes: Offense strikes back in a big way," 10 Aug. 2017
That seems counter to the sense of urgency relayed by SDSU advocates who have said the Montezuma Mesa campus is bursting at the seams and needs somewhere to grow, soon.

— michael smolens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "A reboot for the redevelopment — or at least the debate — of Qualcomm Stadium?," 30 July 2017
The company’s recall notice says there might be defective side seams on some 28-ounce cans of Bush’s Best Original Baked Beans, Bush’s Best Country Style Baked Beans and Bush’s Best Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Recall alert: It isn’t the baked beans that are the problem," 24 July 2017
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
In the Powder River Basin's giant open-pit mines, large haul trucks now crisscross the sites day and night, collecting up to 400 tons of coal at a time from towering seams.

— tim loh, chicagotribune.com, "Why gamers will be the next generation of coal workers," 4 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

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

1 a :to join by sewing

b :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

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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

Recent Examples of seam from the Web

Over the course of the class, participants learn to cast on, the knit and purl stitches, how to bind off and seam up a cowl.

— Lake County News-Sun, "Calendar," 29 Aug. 2017
Yet all our legislators seam to be interested in is creating more and more loopholes for the criminal class to be walking the streets and living in our neighborhoods.

— scott kaufman, Orange County Register, "Letters: Build more jails," 16 May 2017

First Known Use of seam

1582

seam Synonyms

Synonyms

groove, scribe, score

Related Words

abrade, file, graze, mill, rasp, scarify, scratch; bevel, chamfer, flute

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