Definition of fathom Fathom

/fæˈðʌm/ - [fathum] - fath•om

We found 19 definitions of fathom from 8 different sources.

What does fathom mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: fathoms
fathom - a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth
		fthm
		linear measure, linear unit a unit of measurement of length
fathom - (mining) a unit of volume (equal to 6 cubic feet) used in measuring bodies of ore
		fthm
		capacity measure, capacity unit, cubage unit, cubature unit, cubic content unit, cubic measure, displacement unit, volume unit a unit of measurement of volume or capacity
Verb fathoms, fathoming, fathomed
fathom - measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line
		sound
		quantify, measure express as a number or measure or quantity; "Can you quantify your results?"
fathom - come to understand
		penetrate, bottom
		understand know and comprehend the nature or meaning of; "She did not understand her husband"; "I understand what she means"

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Wiktionary

fathom (Noun)
Grasp, envelopment, control.
fathom (Noun)
A measure of length corresponding to the outstretched arms, standardised to six feet, now used mainly for measuring depths in seas or oceans.
fathom (Noun)
Mental reach or scope; penetration; the extent of capacity; depth of thought or contrivance.
fathom (Verb)
To encircle with outstretched arms, especially to take a measurement; to embrace.
fathom (Verb)
To measure the depth of, take a sounding of.
fathom (Verb)
To get to the bottom of; to manage to comprehend a problem etc..

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

fathom (n.)
A measure of length, containing six feet; the space to which a man can extend his arms; -- used chiefly in measuring cables, cordage, and the depth of navigable water by soundings.
fathom (n.)
The measure or extant of one's capacity; depth, as of intellect; profundity; reach; penetration.
fathom (v. t.)
To encompass with the arms extended or encircling; to measure by throwing the arms about; to span.
fathom (v. t.)
The measure by a sounding line; especially, to sound the depth of; to penetrate, measure, and comprehend; to get to the bottom of.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

fathom
A linear unit of measurement, equal to 6 feet, for water depth.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

fathom
fath′um, n. a nautical measure=6 feet: depth: (Shak.) penetration.—v.t. to try the depth of: to comprehend or get to the bottom of.—adjs. Fath′omable; Fath′omless.—n. Fath′om-line, a sailor's line and lead for taking soundings. [A.S. faethm; Dut. vadem, Ger. faden.]

Marine DictionaryUniversal Dictionary of the Marine ⚓️

fathom
bras, a measure of six feet, used for a variety of purposes at sea; as to regulate the length of the rigging, cables, &c. and to divide the log lines, and sounding-lines.
To FAY, to fit any two pieces of wood so as to join close together. The plank is said to fay to the timbers, when it bears, or lies, close to all the timbers. Murray’s Ship-building.

Sailor's Word-BookThe Sailor's Word-Book ⛵

fathom
[Anglo-Saxon, fædm]. The space of both arms extended. A measure of 6 feet, used in the length of cables, rigging, &c., and to divide the lead (or sounding) lines, for showing the depth of water.--To fathom, is to ascertain the depth of water by sounding. To conjecture an intention.

Part of speech

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fathom, verb, present, 1st person singular of fathom (infinitive).
fathom, verb (infinitive).
fathom, noun, singular of fathoms.

Pronunciation

Word frequency

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Sign Language

fathom in sign language