1
: the male of various animals: such as
a
: tomcat
b
: a male turkey
2
Tom disparaging : uncle tom

Examples of tom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The recordings revealed that toms would often gobble at sounds that fell within a certain frequency. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026 Set done, Allan and his bass player leave the stage and make a speedy exit from the room, but Gary Husband lingers behind, fiddling around with his drum kit, tightening cymbals, testing the hi-hat, adding treble to his bass drum, making adjustments to the positioning of the tom toms. Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026 The 20th Anniversary Collection pays tribute to Toms’ roots, offering archival prints on modern styles and original silhouettes with enhanced comfort features. Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026 Toms, Lindsay says, brushed off her concerns. Sean Patrick Cooper, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tom

Word History

Etymology

Tom, nickname for Thomas

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tom was in 1762

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tom. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

tom

noun
: the male of various animals: as
a
b
: a male turkey
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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