calm

1 of 3

noun

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.

calm

2 of 3

verb

calmed; calming; calms

intransitive verb

: to become calm
usually used with down
The mayor asked the protesters to calm down so he could speak.

transitive verb

: to make calm
often used with down
calm him down; get him to be reasonableS. H. Adams

calm

3 of 3

adjective

1
: marked by calm : still
a calm sea
2
: free from agitation, excitement, or disturbance
calmly adverb
calmness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for calm

calm, tranquil, serene, placid, peaceful mean quiet and free from disturbance.

calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence.

the protests ended, and the streets were calm again

tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure.

the tranquil beauty of a formal garden

serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Shortly before midnight on Jan. 24, a 45-year-old mother’s desperate screams pierced the calm of her Brooklyn building — causing neighbors to spring into action to help the woman as she was being attacked by a younger man armed with a large knife. Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025 For those who aren’t religious, activities like walking outdoors, practicing mindfulness techniques, or journaling can provide a sense of peace and calm. Julie Scott, Msn, Anp-Bc, Aocnp, Verywell Health, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
But there’s more: Niacinamide calms irritation, reduces water loss, and boosts hydration, while hyaluronic acid keeps skin plump and dewy. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 4 Feb. 2025 Or, instead of traditional neutral paint on your walls, color-drench your room with navy to create a calming blank slate for artwork or decorative trim. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
According to the National Weather Service, gusts could reach 50 to 60 mph. PREVIOUS, Jan. 17: Cooler temperatures and calm winds enabled firefighters to expand containment on the Palisades and Eaton fires Friday, as some residents were being allowed to return to their homes. Denise Petski, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025 At Xanterra’s sites, for example, retirement-age workers interact particularly well with customers and stay calm under pressure, Dierenbach said. Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for calm 

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Verb, and Adjective

Middle English calme, probably ultimately from Old Spanish calma, from Late Latin cauma heat, from Greek kauma, from kaiein to burn

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of calm was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near calm

Cite this Entry

“Calm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calm. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

calm

1 of 3 noun
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 adjective
1
: marked by calm : still
a calm sea
2
: free from excitement or disturbance
a calm manner
calmly adverb
calmness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on calm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!