First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1foam
noun \ˈfōm\
: a mass of small bubbles that are formed in or on a liquid
: a substance that is like a thick liquid made of many small bubbles
: a soft material that is used to make many products
Full Definition of FOAM
1
: a light frothy mass of fine bubbles formed in or on the surface of a liquid or from a liquid: as a : a frothy mass formed in salivating or sweating b : a stabilized froth produced chemically or mechanically and used especially in fighting oil fires c : a material in a lightweight cellular form resulting from introduction of gas bubbles during manufacture
2
: sea
3
: something resembling foam
— foam·less \-ləs\ adjective
See foam defined for English-language learners
See foam defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of FOAM
Middle English fome, from Old English fām; akin to Old High German feim foam, Latin spuma foam, pumex pumice
2foam
verb
: to produce foam
Full Definition of FOAM
intransitive verb
1
a : to produce or form foam b : to froth at the mouth especially in anger; broadly : to be angry
2
: to gush out in foam
3
: to become covered with or as if with foam <streets…foaming with life — Thomas Wolfe>
transitive verb
1
: to cause to foam; specifically : to cause air bubbles to form in
2
: to convert (as a plastic) into a foam
— foam·able \ˈfō-mə-bəl\ adjective
— foam·er \fō-mər\ noun
See foam defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FOAM
before 12th century
FOAM Defined for Kids
1foam
noun \ˈfōm\
Definition of FOAM for Kids
: a mass of tiny bubbles that forms in or on the surface of a liquid
2foam
verb
foamedfoam·ing
Definition of FOAM for Kids
: to produce or form a mass of tiny bubbles <Baking soda will foam when you add vinegar.>
Medical Dictionary
foam
noun \ˈfōm\
Medical Definition of FOAM
: a light frothy mass of fine bubbles formed in or on the surface of a liquid <spermicidal foam>
—foam verb
Learn More About FOAM
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up foam? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).