plural seams
1
a
: a line where two pieces of cloth or other material are sewn together
the seams of a dress
b
: a line where two pieces of wood, metal, dough, etc., are joined together
the seams of a boat
2
technical
: a layer of coal, rock, etc., that is between two other layers of rock underground
coal seams
a rich seam of iron ore
—sometimes used figuratively to describe a good source of something valuableThe book is a rich seam of information about the history of baseball.
Cite this Entry
“Seam.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/seam. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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