: 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
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
The Thunder loom as a final test If the Pacers truly are a team of destiny and clinch a Finals berth, then their final exam may come in the form of the league’s most dominant team: the Oklahoma City Thunder.
—Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Christine Fernando, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
And there are reasons for optimism—chiefly, the looming July close on the acquisition of NewPoint Holdings JV LLC.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for loom
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Noun
Some recent polls suggest front-runner Andrew Cuomo’s lead over Mamdani is narrowing as the primary looms just weeks away.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
The Thunder loom as a final test If the Pacers truly are a team of destiny and clinch a Finals berth, then their final exam may come in the form of the league’s most dominant team: the Oklahoma City Thunder.
—Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Verb
More than 1,000 people gathered under gray skies Sunday morning at the Lincoln Memorial for a rally that will lead into a protest march, as the community gathers its strength for a looming fight under President Trump’s second administration.
—Christine Fernando, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
And there are reasons for optimism—chiefly, the looming July close on the acquisition of NewPoint Holdings JV LLC.
—Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 8 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 12 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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