: 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
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
And managing a transition of this sort, where gameplan changes loom, is already challenging alone.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
But this worsening food crisis now on a collision course with the issue Democrats are holding firm to fix in this shutdown, looming, skyrocketing health care costs for some 20 million Americans insured through the Affordable Care Act.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loom
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Noun
Beyond denim, Mount Vernon also hopes to revive other legacy textiles—such as Cramerton Army Cloth—using the 45 Picanol President shuttle looms included in the KaKa Cotton deal.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
And managing a transition of this sort, where gameplan changes loom, is already challenging alone.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
How Trump looms in key elections in Virginia, NJ, NYC and Cal.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
But this worsening food crisis now on a collision course with the issue Democrats are holding firm to fix in this shutdown, looming, skyrocketing health care costs for some 20 million Americans insured through the Affordable Care Act.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 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 4 Nov. 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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