teem

\ ˈtēm

How to pronounce teem (audio)

\

teemed; teeming; teems

Definition of teem

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to become filled to overflowing : abound

b : to be present in large quantity

2 obsolete : to become pregnant : conceive

transitive verb

archaic : bring forth : give birth to : produce

teem

teemed; teeming; teems

Definition of teem (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: empty, pour teem molten metal into a mold

Other Words from teem What is the difference between the verbs teem and team? More Example Sentences Learn More about teem

Keep scrolling for more

What is the difference between the verbs teem and team?

Verb (1)

If you want to describe an overflowing abundance of something, the word you are looking for is teem. We often see reference to "the teeming masses," "streets teeming with activity," or "forests teeming with life." You want the word team if you are trying to describe pairing two or more things in a coordinated ensemble ("she teamed the oxen together"), or forming some kind of partnership or association ("we are teaming with another organization this year").

Examples of teem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Careerist designers teem in the West, with such fecund exceptions as László Moholy-Nagy and Kurt Schwitters. — Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "What Are Artists For?," 21 Dec. 2020 Roasted beets teem with sliced orange, radishes, pumpkin seeds and blue cheese ($4.95). — Mike Sutter, ExpressNews.com, "Three new San Antonio restaurants — Camp Outpost Co., Cuishe Cocina Mexicana and Kumo bringing special food, like insects, to S.A.," 12 Nov. 2020 The rivers of the Pacific Northwest used to teem with two waves of Chinook: those that arrived in March or April, and those that came 6 months later, swimming from the sea to their upriver breeding grounds. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Salmon study sheds light on why fall-run fish are bigger than their spring-run cousins," 29 Oct. 2020 The streets seemed to teem with menacing strangers. — Anchorage Daily News, "Her attacker was stopped in the act and arrested, but this assault was only the beginning of her trauma," 18 June 2020 The streets seemed to teem with menacing strangers. — Anchorage Daily News, "Her attacker was stopped in the act and arrested, but this assault was only the beginning of her trauma," 18 June 2020 The streets seemed to teem with menacing strangers. — Anchorage Daily News, "Her attacker was stopped in the act and arrested, but this assault was only the beginning of her trauma," 18 June 2020 The streets seemed to teem with menacing strangers. — Anchorage Daily News, "Her attacker was stopped in the act and arrested, but this assault was only the beginning of her trauma," 18 June 2020 The streets seemed to teem with menacing strangers. — Anchorage Daily News, "Her attacker was stopped in the act and arrested, but this assault was only the beginning of her trauma," 18 June 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Careerist designers teem in the West, with such fecund exceptions as László Moholy-Nagy and Kurt Schwitters. — Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "What Are Artists For?," 21 Dec. 2020 Roasted beets teem with sliced orange, radishes, pumpkin seeds and blue cheese ($4.95). — Mike Sutter, ExpressNews.com, "Three new San Antonio restaurants — Camp Outpost Co., Cuishe Cocina Mexicana and Kumo bringing special food, like insects, to S.A.," 12 Nov. 2020 The rivers of the Pacific Northwest used to teem with two waves of Chinook: those that arrived in March or April, and those that came 6 months later, swimming from the sea to their upriver breeding grounds. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Salmon study sheds light on why fall-run fish are bigger than their spring-run cousins," 29 Oct. 2020 The streets seemed to teem with menacing strangers. — Anchorage Daily News, "Her attacker was stopped in the act and arrested, but this assault was only the beginning of her trauma," 18 June 2020 The streets seemed to teem with menacing strangers. — Anchorage Daily News, "Her attacker was stopped in the act and arrested, but this assault was only the beginning of her trauma," 18 June 2020 The streets seemed to teem with menacing strangers. — Anchorage Daily News, "Her attacker was stopped in the act and arrested, but this assault was only the beginning of her trauma," 18 June 2020 The streets seemed to teem with menacing strangers. — Anchorage Daily News, "Her attacker was stopped in the act and arrested, but this assault was only the beginning of her trauma," 18 June 2020 Watch for dolphins from the side of the boat: the waters here teem with them. — Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "20 Best Weekend Getaway Ideas in the U.S.," 18 June 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about teem

Listen to Our Podcast about teem

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries near teem

Statistics for teem

Last Updated

11 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Teem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teem. Accessed 18 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

preeminent

Listen to the pronunciation of preeminent

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words of Snow and Ice Quiz

Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Anagram puzzles meet word search.