-tom-

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

tom /tɑm/   n. [countable]

1. Zoology the male of some animals, as the turkey.
2. a tomcat.

-tom-, root. 

1. -tom- comes from Greek, where it has the meaning "cut.'' This meaning is found in such words as: anatomy, appendectomy, atom, dichotomy, hysterectomy, lobotomy, mastectomy, tome, tonsillectomy, vasectomy.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

tom (tom),  n. 

1. the male of various animals, as the turkey.
2. a tomcat.

• generic use of Tom 1755–65

Tom (tom),  n., v., Tommed, Tom•ming. 

n. 

1. See Uncle Tom. 
2. a male given name, form of Thomas. 

v.i. 

3. ([often l.c.] ) to act like an Uncle Tom.