: a frame or machine for interlacing (see interlace sense 1) at right angles two or more sets of threads or yarns to form a cloth
loomed; looming; looms
1
: to come into sight in enlarged or distorted and indistinct form often as a result of atmospheric conditions
Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
2
a
: to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form
deficits loomed large
b
: to take shape as an impending occurrence
the problems that loomed ahead
: the indistinct and exaggerated appearance of something seen on the horizon or through fog or darkness
also
: a looming shadow or reflection
Synonyms
Examples of loom in a Sentence
Verb
Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
The mountains loom above the valley.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
There’s urgency on both sides to move quickly as the franchise tag deadline and the first day of free agency loom in March.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
Friction point: While telemedicine flourished under the Biden administration thanks to extended pandemic-era relaxations of state prescribing laws, questions loom about whether the country's new leaders will continue those practices.
—Erin Brodwin, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for loom 
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Noun
Dado Ruvic | Reuters As a potential ban of social media platform TikTok looms, creators are telling their fans to seek them out on alternatives like Instagram and YouTube.
—Jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
There’s urgency on both sides to move quickly as the franchise tag deadline and the first day of free agency loom in March.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
Trump has also expressed opposition to a looming ban on TikTok after earlier having supported a law requiring its Chinese parent company to divest its U.S. operations over national security concerns.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
Friction point: While telemedicine flourished under the Biden administration thanks to extended pandemic-era relaxations of state prescribing laws, questions loom about whether the country's new leaders will continue those practices.
—Erin Brodwin, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for loom
Dictionary Entries Near loom
Cite this Entry
“Loom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loom. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
loom
1 of 2 noun
: a frame or machine for weaving threads or yarns to produce cloth
loom
2 of 2 verb1
: to appear suddenly and often with a large, dim, or strange form
loomed out of the fog
2
: to be about to happen
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