seam

[ seem ]

noun

1. the line formed by sewing together pieces of cloth, leather, or the like.
2. the stitches used to make such a line.
3. any line formed by abutting edges.
4. any linear indentation or mark, as a wrinkle or scar.
5. Knitting. a line of stitches formed by purling.
6. Geology. a comparatively thin stratum; a bed, as of coal.

verb (used with object)

1. to join with or as if with stitches; make the seam or seams of.
2. to furrow; mark with wrinkles, scars, etc.
3. Knitting. to knit with or in a seam.

verb (used without object)

1. to become cracked, fissured, or furrowed.
2. Knitting. to make a line of stitches by purling.

seam

/ siːm /

noun

1. the line along which pieces of fabric are joined, esp by stitching
2. a ridge or line made by joining two edges
3. a stratum of coal, ore, etc
4. a linear indentation, such as a wrinkle or scar
5. surgery another name for suture
6. modifier cricket of or relating to a style of bowling in which the bowler utilizes the stitched seam round the ball in order to make it swing in flight and after touching the ground

   a seam bowler

7. bursting at the seams
   full to overflowing
8. in a good seam dialect.
   doing well, esp financially

verb

1. tr to join or sew together by or as if by a seam
2. to make ridges in (knitting) using purl stitch
3. to mark or become marked with or as if with a seam or wrinkle

seam

/ sēm /

1. A thin layer or stratum, as of coal or rock.

Other Words From

• seamer noun
• under·seam noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of seam¹

before 1000; Middle English seme (noun), Old English sēam; cognate with German Saum hem; akin to sew ¹, Greek hymḗn membrane ( hymen )

Word History and Origins

Origin of seam¹

Old English; related to Old Norse saumr, Old High German soum

Idioms and Phrases

see burst at the seams ; come apart at the seams .

Example Sentences

We are bursting at the seams already while trying to maintain some semblance of social distancing working under these incredible stress levels.

From Washington Post

The flatlock seams made it as comfortable in bed as any of the other tops.

From Outside Online

The kit comes with a good variety of basics including needles, threads, scissors, buttons, a thimble, a needle threader, and a seam ripper.

From Popular-Science

Kit comes with 14 large thread spools, 4 specialty thread spools, 12 threaded bobbins, 12 empty bobbins, a small pair of scissors, pins, buttons, needle threaders, a seam ripper, and a mini pin cushion.

From Popular-Science

They’re designed with a patented wave-design seam for extra stability, and they’re compostable, too.

From Popular-Science

Fumbleroooohski…'” (39) “'Look at me, ungh, splitting my own seam, oohh… going deep.

From The Daily Beast

Roll the pork over the stuffing, like a jelly roll, until the seam is facing down and the fat back is on top.

From The Daily Beast

You sense that Farrow out in the field reporting will be a potential strong seam.

From The Daily Beast

For a number of years, we lived in the Abu Tor neighborhood, right on the seam of East and West Jerusalem.

From The Daily Beast

There is no doubt that Obama is tapping, here, into a rich seam of public discontent.

From The Daily Beast

She essayed to sew, and stitched up a seam wrong side out, and ran the point of the needle under her finger nail.

From Project Gutenberg

The cone is made of metal—tin, brass or copper—which can be nickelplated, the seam being soldered.

From Project Gutenberg

The use of a hazel-rod to trace the existence of water or of a seam of coal seems a survival of this practice.

From Project Gutenberg

"There's a seam of cryolite in the Eastern Hills, according to the old maps," said Lake.

From Project Gutenberg

The smooth, unbreakable walls; the thin seam of the door; the thermometer.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hem
• joint
• pleat