any of various oily aromatic resinous substances obtained from certain tropical trees and used for healing and soothing
See alsobalsam 1 any plant yielding such a substance, esp the balm of Gilead something comforting or soothing - Also called: lemon balm
an aromatic Eurasian herbaceous plant, Melissa officinalis, having clusters of small fragrant white two-lipped flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates) a pleasant odour
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
balm /bɑm/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- a sweet-smelling oil or ointment used for healing, soothing, or relieving pain.
- something that soothes or comforts:Her friendship was a balm to his hurt feelings.
balm
(bäm),USA pronunciation n.
balm′like′, adj.
- any of various oily, fragrant, resinous substances, often of medicinal value, exuding from certain plants, esp. tropical trees of the genus Commiphora.
- Plant Biologya plant or tree yielding such a substance.
- any aromatic or fragrant ointment.
- aromatic fragrance;
sweet odor:the balm of orange blossoms. - Plant Biologyany of various aromatic plants of the mint family, esp. those of the genus Melissa, as M. officinalis (lemon balm,) having ovate lemon-scented leaves used as a seasoning.
- anything that heals, soothes, or mitigates pain:the balm of friendship in troubled times.
- Latin balsamum balsam; with orthographic l pedantically restored
- Anglo-French basme, bal(s)me, ba(u)me; Old French
- Middle English basme, ba(u)me 1175–1225
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged salve, unguent, lotion, emollient.
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