: 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
Examples of loom in a Sentence
Verb
Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
The mountains loom above the valley.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Meanwhile, sonic storytelling looms as the next frontier for luxury brands.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 26 May 2025
Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
Perhaps the film’s single greatest scare comes when the shark’s wide, massive head looms up from the water, close to the Orca, for just an instant before turning away and sinking out of sight.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for loom
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Noun
And over the next four months, Betts’ ability to polish his shortstop play looms as one of the Dodgers’ biggest X-factors.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Meanwhile, sonic storytelling looms as the next frontier for luxury brands.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 26 May 2025
Verb
The juxtaposition of the traditions is fairly straightforward, but an altogether different figure—or, rather, the suggestion of one, looming in the background—makes the image somewhat unsettling.
—Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
Perhaps the film’s single greatest scare comes when the shark’s wide, massive head looms up from the water, close to the Orca, for just an instant before turning away and sinking out of sight.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for loom
Cite this Entry
“Loom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loom. Accessed 28 Jun. 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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