becalmed; becalming; becalms

transitive verb

1
a
: to keep motionless by lack of wind
b
: to stop the progress of
2
: to make calm : soothe

Examples of becalm in a Sentence

becalmed at last, she slept soundly for the first time in weeks
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.
In the summer, that data started to surprise much more positively — but stocks were becalmed during that period. John Authers | Bloomberg, Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2019 Within an hour of pushing off, though, we were becalmed and drifted straight toward Faith Hill’s house. Porter Fox, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of becalm was in 1582

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Becalm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/becalm. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

becalm

verb
: to bring to a stop by lack of wind
a ship becalmed
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