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
seamed; seaming; seams
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
: to become fissured or ridgy
seamer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of seam in a Sentence
Noun
the seams of a dress
the seams of a boat
a rich seam of iron ore
Verb
in fencing circles it is a mark of honor to have one's face seamed with saber cuts
Recent Examples on the Web
Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024
But behind some stops and starts is a movie practically bursting from the seams with heart and earnestness.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2024
Gently brush along the seam and head of the zipper.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
With no itchy seams and a blended no-static material, this shirt is designed for running and reduces chafing, retains shape, stretches further than other fabrics, and uses mesh to maximize breathability during cardio heavy training.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
These 95% cotton undies have a wide, double-layered waistband that smooths the tummy without rolling down, plus flat seams along the leg that keep the cut from digging into your skin.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2024
The seam in the middle divided two fabrics, one that was smooth and the other textured with a long train that wrapped around her wrist with a gold chain attached.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024
The stay-up design prevents the socks from slipping or bunching around your ankles, and the ultra-smooth, invisible seam and lightweight construction favor all-day wear.
—Nsisong Bassey, Verywell Health, 15 Mar. 2024
These socks are soft, stretchy, and comfortable, and the body of each sock blends into the toe without a bumpy seam.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2023
The equally sheer skirt featured a little seaming detail and a short slit.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2023
This historical and anthropological deep dive teaches us that migration has, of necessity, brought about a rupture with the past, yet the ancient Jewish ways have indelibly seamed through newer Indian ones to create a hybrid cuisine.
—Meher Mirza, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2023
All day every day at every hour men and women, children, wheeled
into a world that is not the world
but more so, to seam themselves to machines
from which the healing bane
drips.
—Christian Wiman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
There was no native population, and those who had successfully navigated the treacherous journey there found fjords teeming with baleen whales and mountains seamed with coal.
—Taymour Soomro Scott Conarroe, New York Times, 10 May 2023
Roll up and place, seam sidea down, in prepared pan.
—Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 2 May 2023
Selectors, instead, stuck with aging David Warner, who has been in a form rut stretching several years and sports a mediocre record on the seaming wickets of the U.K, and Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Harris - batters with middling Test returns.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023
Pitching is a brotherhood; teammates and even opponents routinely compare grips and share tips on finger pressure, seam orientation and so on.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2023
Noun
My original bag quickly started falling apart, ripping at the seams, and losing its shape.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024
But behind some stops and starts is a movie practically bursting from the seams with heart and earnestness.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2024
Gently brush along the seam and head of the zipper.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
With no itchy seams and a blended no-static material, this shirt is designed for running and reduces chafing, retains shape, stretches further than other fabrics, and uses mesh to maximize breathability during cardio heavy training.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
These 95% cotton undies have a wide, double-layered waistband that smooths the tummy without rolling down, plus flat seams along the leg that keep the cut from digging into your skin.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2024
The seam in the middle divided two fabrics, one that was smooth and the other textured with a long train that wrapped around her wrist with a gold chain attached.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024
The stay-up design prevents the socks from slipping or bunching around your ankles, and the ultra-smooth, invisible seam and lightweight construction favor all-day wear.
—Nsisong Bassey, Verywell Health, 15 Mar. 2024
These socks are soft, stretchy, and comfortable, and the body of each sock blends into the toe without a bumpy seam.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
For tree trunk, seam 4 widths 3½ x 36 inches of light green burlap together, forming two strips 72 inches long.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2023
The equally sheer skirt featured a little seaming detail and a short slit.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2023
This historical and anthropological deep dive teaches us that migration has, of necessity, brought about a rupture with the past, yet the ancient Jewish ways have indelibly seamed through newer Indian ones to create a hybrid cuisine.
—Meher Mirza, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2023
All day every day at every hour men and women, children, wheeled
into a world that is not the world
but more so, to seam themselves to machines
from which the healing bane
drips.
—Christian Wiman, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
There was no native population, and those who had successfully navigated the treacherous journey there found fjords teeming with baleen whales and mountains seamed with coal.
—Taymour Soomro Scott Conarroe, New York Times, 10 May 2023
Roll up and place, seam sidea down, in prepared pan.
—Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 2 May 2023
Selectors, instead, stuck with aging David Warner, who has been in a form rut stretching several years and sports a mediocre record on the seaming wickets of the U.K, and Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Harris - batters with middling Test returns.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023
Pitching is a brotherhood; teammates and even opponents routinely compare grips and share tips on finger pressure, seam orientation and so on.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seam.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English seem, from Old English sēam; akin to Old English sīwian to sew — more at sew
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of seam was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing seam
Dictionary Entries Near seam
Cite this Entry
“Seam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seam. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
seam
1 of 2 noun1
: the fold, line, or groove made by sewing together or joining two edges or two pieces
the seams of a dress
the seams of a boat
seamless
adjective
-ləs
seam
2 of 2 verb1
: to join with a seam
2
: to mark with a line, scar, or wrinkle
creeks seam the valley
a face seamed with age
More from Merriam-Webster on seam
Nglish: Translation of seam for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of seam for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share