meerschaum

noun

meer·​schaum ˈmir-shəm How to pronounce meerschaum (audio)
-ˌshȯm
1
: a fine light white clayey mineral that is a hydrous magnesium silicate found chiefly in Asia Minor and is used especially for tobacco pipes
2
: a tobacco pipe of meerschaum

Examples of meerschaum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Your Turkish meerschaum pipes are hand carved and made as vintage exports. — Brenda Yenke, cleveland, 17 Sep. 2020 So why not throw on a deerstalker hat, light up a handy meerschaum pipe, and do our best impression of the great detective himself in order to get to the bottom of this case? — Joanna Robinson, VanityFair.com, 5 Jan. 2017 Like his literary descendant, Dupin smokes a meerschaum pipe and is generally eccentric. — Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, 20 Apr. 2017

Word History

Etymology

German, from Meer sea + Schaum foam

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of meerschaum was in 1784

Rhymes for meerschaum

See All Rhymes for meerschaum

Browse Nearby Words

meerkat
meerschaum
Meerut
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meerschaum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meerschaum. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

meerschaum

noun
meer·​schaum ˈmi(ə)r-shəm How to pronounce meerschaum (audio)
-ˌshȯm
1
: a soft white lightweight mineral resembling a very fine clay used especially for tobacco pipes
2
: a tobacco pipe made of meerschaum
Etymology

German, literally, "sea foam"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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