: 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
Hunter Lacroix, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2025
Too often, legacy planning is postponed until a health scare or retirement looms.
—Anatoly Iofe, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
The 2026 midterms now loom as a critical test for both parties — and for American democracy itself.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for loom
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Noun
Meanwhile, the possibility of a second, far larger conflict looms in the Pacific.
—Hunter Lacroix, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2025
Too often, legacy planning is postponed until a health scare or retirement looms.
—Anatoly Iofe, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
An image of a wooden cane pokes up from the bottom to divide the painting while a floating constellation of deviled eggs looms above her head — a nod to menopause and losing her fertility.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
The 2026 midterms now loom as a critical test for both parties — and for American democracy itself.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 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 21 Jul. 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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