1
: birdlime
2
a
: a caustic highly infusible solid that consists of calcium oxide often together with magnesium oxide, that is obtained by calcining forms of calcium carbonate (such as shells or limestone), and that is used in building (as in mortar and plaster) and in agriculture
called also quicklime
b
: a dry white powder consisting essentially of calcium hydroxide that is made by treating quicklime with water
c
: calcium
carbonate of lime
limed; liming
1
: to smear with a sticky substance (such as birdlime)
2
: to entangle with or as if with birdlime
3
: to treat or cover with lime
lime the lawn in the spring
: a linden tree
especially
: linden sense 1a
1
: the small globose yellowish green fruit of a widely cultivated spiny tropical Asian citrus tree (Citrus aurantifolia) with a usually acid juicy pulp used as a flavoring agent and as a source of vitamin C
2
: a tree that bears limes
Examples of lime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024
With watermelon juice and lime, this brings summer flavors back to fall, while Desolas Mezcal adds a touch of complexity.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2024
Indeed, of the 180 or so tombs that his team examined at the cemetery, this was the only one that had been limed.
—Franz Lidz, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for lime 
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Noun
Uncle makes one that is based on the northern Thai khao soi, a yellow curry broth with trumpet mushrooms, spicy chili jam, mustard greens, onions and lime.
—Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024
With watermelon juice and lime, this brings summer flavors back to fall, while Desolas Mezcal adds a touch of complexity.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Many gardeners will need to lime soil to raise the pH to around 6.5.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2024
Indeed, of the 180 or so tombs that his team examined at the cemetery, this was the only one that had been limed.
—Franz Lidz, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for lime
Articles Related to lime
Dictionary Entries Near lime
Cite this Entry
“Lime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lime. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lime
1 of 5 noun1
: a white substance that is primarily an oxide of calcium, is made by heating limestone or shells, and is used in making plaster and cement and in farming
2
: a dry white powder consisting chiefly of the hydroxide of calcium that is made by treating lime with water
lime
2 of 5 verb
limed; liming
: to treat or cover with lime
lime a garden
lime
3 of 5 adjective
: of, relating to, or containing lime or limestone
lime
4 of 5 noun
: a European linden tree
lime
5 of 5 noun
: a fruit like the lemon but smaller and with a yellowish green skin
also
: the tropical Asian citrus tree that bears limes
Etymology
Noun
Old English lim "substance from limestone"
Noun
Old English lind "linden tree"
Noun
from French lime "the fruit lime"; of Arabic origin
Medical Definition
lime
2 of 2 noun
: the small globose yellowish green fruit of a spiny tropical tree of the genus Citrus (C. aurantifolia) that has a usually acid juicy pulp used as a flavoring agent and as a source of vitamin C
also
: a tree that bears limes
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