bloom

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
: a mass of wrought iron from the forge or puddling furnace
2
: a bar of iron or steel hammered or rolled from an ingot

bloom

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural blooms
1
b
: the flowering state
the roses are in bloom
c
: a period of flowering
the spring bloom
d(1)
: a rapid and excessive growth of a plankton population (as of algae or dinoflagellates) compare red tide
(2)
: a large aggregation of free-swimming organisms : swarm
a jellyfish bloom
2
a
: a state or time of beauty, freshness, and vigor
b
: a state or time of high development or achievement
a career in full bloom
3
: a surface coating or appearance: such as
a
: a delicate powdery coating on some fruits and leaves
b
: a rosy appearance of the cheeks
broadly : an outward evidence of freshness or healthy vigor
c
: a cloudiness on a film of varnish or lacquer
d
: a grayish discoloration on chocolate
e
: glare caused by an object reflecting too much light into a television camera

bloom

3 of 3

verb

bloomed; blooming; blooms

intransitive verb

1
a
: to produce or yield flowers
b
: to support abundant plant life
make the desert bloom
2
a(1)
: to mature into achievement of one's potential
(2)
: to flourish in youthful beauty, freshness, or excellence
b
: to shine out : glow
c
: to become more apparent or fully expressed (as in flavor or aroma)
In all classic sauces and dressings, good oil is the base from which delectable flavors bloom.Renée Loux Underkoffler
3
: to appear or occur unexpectedly or in remarkable quantity or degree
4
: to become densely populated with microorganisms and especially plankton
used of bodies of water

transitive verb

1
obsolete : to cause to bloom
2
: to give bloom to

Examples of bloom in a Sentence

Verb flowers blooming in the garden Their love was just beginning to bloom.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The earlier blooms illustrate the influence climate change is having across the nation, from earlier springs and longer summers to warmer winters and more intense heat waves and extreme rainfall. Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 Color the bountiful blooms with mom's favorite shades. Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024 This has been seen in other events, including the bloom of the iconic cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. Peak bloom occurs when 70% of the cherry blossoms open. Daniel Peck, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024 The glowing blooms came into view, their edges sharpened. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 The colorful blooms, however, are notoriously sensitive to weather conditions — so there could be a short window to bask in their beauty. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 Meyer said the bloom was already off to a lovely start in parts of Southern California. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024 As Stumpy reached peak bloom for the last time, floodwater surrounded it. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 High levels of phosphorus also can lead to algae blooms that produce toxins that are harmful to human and animal health, according to the agency. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024
Verb
Full sun will help with the flowering, but pentas will bloom in partial shade as well. Marissa Wu, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2024 There’s just an outside chance that this cooler weather delays peak bloom long enough for the Park Service’s peak bloom forecast of March 23 to 26 to be correct. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Planting now is especially recommended for plants that will bloom more in full than in half-day sun and yet, if planted in full sun once the weather heats up, may struggle. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024 Tiny golden buttercups, scarlet gilia, purple sticky geraniums, and 3-foot green gentians, which live for decades but only bloom once, are all on display. Krista Simmons and J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 The three pups were born in June 2023 at the height of toxic algae blooms off the coast that caused hundreds of sick and dead sea lions and dolphins to wash ashore, according to Warren. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 Wisteria typically bloom around late April and early May, with slight variations depending on the type of wisteria in bloom. Talia Avakian, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024 As days warm up and winter gives way to sunshine and blooming flowers, bunches of vibrant green stalks pop up at farmers' stands and grocery stores. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2024 But what Torres nails is breathtaking, especially that midnight anxiety at the ATM, the scanning for sketchy cash jobs online and, most sneakily and warmly, a blooming connection. Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bloom.' 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

Noun (1)

Middle English blome lump of metal, from Old English blōma

Noun (2)

Middle English blome, from Old Norse blōm; akin to Old English blōwan to blossom — more at blow

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bloom was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bloom

Cite this Entry

“Bloom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bloom. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bloom

1 of 2 noun
1
b
: the period or state of flowering
the roses are in bloom
c
: an excessive growth of plankton
2
b
: a state or time of beauty, freshness, and strength
3
a
: a delicate powdery coating especially on some fruits and leaves
b
: a rosy appearance of the cheeks

bloom

2 of 2 verb
1
: to produce flowers : blossom
2
b
: to be in a state of youthful beauty or freshness : flourish
3
: to glow with rosy color
bloomer noun

Biographical Definition

Bloom

biographical name

Harold 1930–2019 American literary critic

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