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.
Toms, the company president, was elected mayor. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026 Then west of us two more toms made the hills ring. Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 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 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 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

tom

noun
: the male of various animals: as
a
b
: a male turkey
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