seam

American  

[seem] / sim /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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. full to overflowing

8. dialect doing well, esp financially

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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 Scientific  

/ sēm /

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

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seam Idioms  

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

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Other Word Forms

• seamer noun
• underseam noun

Etymology

Origin of seam

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

Example Sentences

"Probably on reflection I could have used swing more to set up the wobble seam, which might have just gone straight on rather than nipping," Potts says.

From BBC

He experimented with a variety of change-ups, searching across the seams in the hopes of finding a suitable alternative to his blistering fastball.

From The Wall Street Journal

Summoned by the humans’ celebration, the Afterlife surged and swelled, straining the seam between the living and the dead.

From Literature

She messes with the end of her braid and then the seam of the beanbag chair.

From Literature

When he tucked it in I saw the same little V-shaped rip at the top of the rear seam of his waist that had seen for the last couple of weeks.

From Literature

Related Words

• hem
• joint
• pleat