First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1gum
noun \ˈgəm\
Definition of GUM
: the tissue that surrounds the necks of teeth and covers the alveolar parts of the jaws; broadly : the alveolar portion of a jaw with its enveloping soft tissues
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of GUM
Middle English gome, from Old English gōma palate; akin to Old High German guomo palate, and perhaps to Greek chaos abyss
2gum
verb
gummedgum·ming
Definition of GUM
transitive verb
1
: to enlarge gullets of (a saw)
2
: to chew with the gums
First Known Use of GUM
1777
3gum
noun
Definition of GUM
1
a : any of numerous colloidal polysaccharide substances of plant origin that are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying and are salts of complex organic acids — compare mucilage 1 b : any of various plant exudates (as an oleoresin or gum resin)
2
: a substance or deposit resembling a plant gum (as in sticky or adhesive quality)
3
a : a tree (as a black gum) that yields gum b Australian : eucalyptus
4
: the wood or lumber of a gum; especially : that of the sweet gum
5
Origin of GUM
Middle English gomme, from Middle French, from Latin cummi, gummi, from Greek kommi, from Egyptian qmyt
First Known Use: 14th century
4gum
verb
gummedgum·ming
Definition of GUM
transitive verb
: to clog, impede, or damage with or as if with gum <gum up the works>
intransitive verb
1
: to exude or form gum
2
: to become gummy
— gum·mer noun
First Known Use of GUM
1597
GUM[1] Defined for Kids
1gum
noun \ˈgəm\
Definition of GUM for Kids
: the flesh at the roots of the teeth
2gum
noun
Definition of GUM for Kids
1
2
: a sticky substance obtained from plants that hardens on drying
3
: a substance like a plant gum (as in stickiness)
3gum
verb
gummedgum·ming
Definition of GUM for Kids
1
: to smear, stick together, or clog with or as if with gum
2
: to cause not to work properly <gum up the works>
Learn More About GUM
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up gum? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).