seam

noun \ ˈsēm \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

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

The Ramblers akso found sizable seams in the Huskies’ usually reliable defense.

— steve reaven, Naperville Sun, "Huskies hold heads high: Naperville North loses to Loyola in state semifinals, will play for third place in lacrosse," 31 May 2018
Markle’s gown was custom-made by the Givenchy team months before the nuptials, using only six seams for the haute couture creation, Us magazine reports.

— anna millard, refinery29.com, "Take Shelter! The Bridal Wars Over Meghan Markle's Wedding Dress Have Begun," 26 May 2018
The dress Markle wore was also haute couture, with only six seams holding it together.

— emilia petrarca, The Cut, "British Fashion Designer Is Salty Over Meghan Markle’s Wedding Dress," 25 May 2018
That isn’t due to any meaningful difference in the size, weight or seam height of the balls.

— jared diamond, WSJ, "MLB Study Finds Baseballs Have Become More Aerodynamic," 24 May 2018
Getty/Shutterstock In a delightful twist, Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy designed Meghan Markle's royal wedding dress, which was sleek, minimal, and fashioned from matte silk cady with a boatneck and only six seams, according to Kensington palace.

— hannah morrill, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle's Givenchy Wedding Dress Is Very Audrey Hepburn," 19 May 2018
Defenses would have to honor Gasol more at the elbow with the ball which would open seams for back cuts and keep the restricted area clear for Oladipo.

— j. michael, Indianapolis Star, "Pacers could chase these 3 All-Stars to shake up roster, but would it be worth it?," 10 May 2018
Sharp curves in the road, hills, construction zones, toll booths, seams in the pavement and weather conditions that cut visibility can all hamper Autopilot’s performance.

— david r. baker, San Francisco Chronicle, "Tesla’s Autopilot, suspected in fatal crash, has a history of swerves," 4 May 2018
Starting from long side, roll dough into tight log, pinching seam to seal.

— the good housekeeping test kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Raspberry Swirl Rolls," 24 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought

seam

verb

Definition of seam

seamed; seaming; seams

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

Roll dough into a ball and place seam side down on a lightly ﬂoured work surface.

— Bon Appetit, "Ramadan Date Cookies," 21 May 2018
My goal was to achieve this within one year...seamed reasonable to me!

— leada gore, AL.com, "How to get free McDonald's fries today," 20 Apr. 2018
Wrap log around can, seam side down, gently pulling from center of log to stretch around.

— woman's day kitchen, Woman's Day, "King Cake," 12 Jan. 2018
Place rollups seam side down in an 8-by-8-inch glass baking dish.

— atlanta life, ajc, "7 Day Menu Planner," 3 Nov. 2017
Many of the newest iterations are seamed to accentuate the body, providing a womanly shapeliness in place of utilitarian boxiness.

— alev aktar, WSJ, "Is a $5,930 Puffer Coat Sexier Than a $200 One?," 28 Sep. 2017
The north Siberian peninsula, whose yellowish soil is seamed with gold and copper and a range of precious earths, was populated once by the Gulag of the Stalin years.

— WSJ, "Five Best: Catherine Merridale," 4 Aug. 2017
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," 18 Sep. 2017
Thick-seamed coal on federal land in the Powder River Basin overlying Wyoming and Montana is relatively clean-burning and inexpensive to mine.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Coal Makes a Comeback," 16 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of seam

1582

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

seam Synonyms

Synonyms

groove, score, scribe;

bevel, chamfer, flute;

SEAM Defined for English Language Learners

seam

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