: 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
Synonyms
Examples of loom in a Sentence
Verb
Storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
The mountains loom above the valley.
Recent Examples on the Web
Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024
Advertisement Clinton is the latest high-profile Democrat politician to tune into Southern California as the Nov. 5 election looms.
—Angie Orellana Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
The perception that service is falling apart can also hurt efforts to get more state funding for transit, a key concern for Chicago-area transportation agencies as the end of federal COVID-19 relief dollars looms.
—Sarah Freishtat, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for loom 
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
For a while, we got hung up on whether Wanted is a movie about superheroes or just a movie about a bunch of assholes who can bend bullets and see the future through use of a magic loom.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024
Advertisement Clinton is the latest high-profile Democrat politician to tune into Southern California as the Nov. 5 election looms.
—Angie Orellana Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
Verb
Michigan’s biggest 2024 election contests The presidential race is looming over the whole nation, but is especially close in Michigan, one of seven key swing states this cycle.
—Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
The perception that service is falling apart can also hurt efforts to get more state funding for transit, a key concern for Chicago-area transportation agencies as the end of federal COVID-19 relief dollars looms.
—Sarah Freishtat, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for loom
Dictionary Entries Near loom
Cite this Entry
“Loom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loom. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share