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Sam

1 American  
[sam] / sæm /

noun

  1. a male given name, form of Samuel.

  2. a female given name, form of Samantha.

SAM 2 American  
[sam] / sæm /

noun

  1. surface-to-air missile.

  2. Space Available Mail: a special air service for sending parcels weighing up to 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) to overseas members of the armed forces: only the regular parcel post rate to the U.S. port of shipment is charged.

SAM 3 American  

  1. shared-appreciation mortgage.

Sam. 4 American  

abbreviation

Bible.

  1. Samuel.

SAM 1 British  
/ sæm /

acronym

  1. surface-to-air missile

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
S.Am. 2 British  

abbreviation

  1. South America(n)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Sam. 3 British  

abbreviation

  1. Samuel

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
sam 4 British  
/ sæm /

verb

  1. dialect to collect; gather up

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In his earliest appearances as Sam, Kani had to apply gray makeup to his beard and temples to be believable as the middle-aged employee.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

“This collaboration with Novo Nordisk will help them accelerate scientific discovery, run smarter global operations, and redefine the future of patient care,” said OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

"From different parts of Australia, and around the world, these Bravery honourees are characterised by their selfless, courageous, and determined response in unspeakable and horrific circumstances," Australia's Governor-General Sam Mostyn said.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

She brought her "Sabrinawood" concept to the stage -- a sort of love letter to cinema -- which featured appearances by big-screen stars such as Sam Elliott, Susan Sarandon and Will Ferrell.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Sam poked gently in the fresh dirt until he found King of Worms.

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.