1
a
: a period or condition of freedom from storms, high winds, or rough activity of water
a sailing ship motionless in the calm
b
: complete absence of wind or presence of wind having a speed no greater than one mile (1.6 kilometers) per hour see Beaufort Scale Table
2
: a state of tranquility
At dusk a quiet calm settled over the town.
calmed; calming; calms
: to become calm
—usually used with down
The mayor asked the protesters to calm down so he could speak.
: to make calm
—often used with down
calm him down; get him to be reasonable—
S. H. Adams
S. H. Adams1
: marked by calm : still
a calm sea
2
: free from agitation, excitement, or disturbance
calmly
adverb
calmness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of calm in a Sentence
Noun
After two days of violent protests, the mayor appealed for calm.
The calm was broken by another terrorist bombing.
the calm of a church
Police tried to restore calm after the riot.
A quiet calm settled over the city.
Verb
His words were effective in calming her fears.
The medicine helped calm her breathing.
Adjective
The teacher asked us to remain calm after the fire alarm went off.
Let's try to have a calm discussion about your grades.
Recent Examples on the Web
Catherine Garcia, theweek, 11 Nov. 2024
What’s most reassuring about Kornacki’s presence is his caffeinated sense of calm.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Marquise Francis, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
The human body naturally produces GABA, a chemical that blocks certain messages in the brain and calms the body, but studies have found mixed results for using GABA supplementation.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
The first night was calm and he was just getting used to his new environment, but the next morning everything was different.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for calm 
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Noun
Pockets of calm can be found around the area, like at the Bach Ma Temple.
—Catherine Garcia, theweek, 11 Nov. 2024
What’s most reassuring about Kornacki’s presence is his caffeinated sense of calm.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
But once the fight ended, Talley said things calmed down and after some time even more people congregated in the parking lot.
—Marquise Francis, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
The human body naturally produces GABA, a chemical that blocks certain messages in the brain and calms the body, but studies have found mixed results for using GABA supplementation.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
In years where solar activity is calmer, pockets of cold air form high in the atmosphere, which results in colder winters and stronger easterly winds over northern Europe and the northern U.S..
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
The first night was calm and he was just getting used to his new environment, but the next morning everything was different.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for calm
Articles Related to calm
Dictionary Entries Near calm
Cite this Entry
“Calm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calm. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
a
: a period or state of freedom from storm, wind, or rough water
b
: complete lack of wind or the presence of wind of no more than one mile (1.6 kilometers) per hour
2
: a state of freedom from excitement or disturbance : peacefulness
calm
2 of 3 verb
: to make or become calm
calm
3 of 3 adjective1
: marked by calm : still
a calm sea
2
: free from excitement or disturbance
a calm manner
calmly
adverb
calmness
noun
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