1
: the male of various animals: such as
a
: tomcat
b
: a male turkey
2
Tom disparaging : uncle tom

Examples of tom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For the fifth time in roughly three months, a person has been attacked by what wildlife experts say is a particularly aggressive male turkey, also known as a tom. Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 19 May 2022 This tom has allegedly flapped its wings, puffed itself up to look big — a common turkey tactic to defend against predators — scratched several people with its talons, and of course, gobbled at people. Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 19 May 2022 Sometimes a tom will gobble in the same spot for a long time, and never move any closer to you. Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, 8 Mar. 2021 Either of these options is better than competing against each other for the same tom. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 23 Mar. 2021 Access them before first light and wait for a tom to sound off. Gerald Almy, Field & Stream, 19 Mar. 2021 Two tom turkeys strutted in their wake, tail fans spread wide. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9 May 2020 It was designed to move efficiently while tracking a coyote or a wary tom, and the reduced length and pistol grip are equally well suited to defending your castle. Joseph Albanese, Field & Stream, 24 Apr. 2020 Slice it up to add to your favorite tom yum recipe; smash and smear it onto pork chops. Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 12 Apr. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tom.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Tom, nickname for Thomas

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tom was in 1762

Dictionary Entries Near tom

Cite this Entry

“Tom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tom. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tom

noun
: the male of various animals: as
a
b
: a male turkey
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