noun
Common
cam
KAM
Cam (noun) means a rotating or sliding mechanical part shaped to convert its motion into movement of a connected rod or lever. Example: “The mechanic noticed a worn cam inside the old motor.”
noun
1
A rotating or sliding mechanical part shaped to convert its motion into movement of a connected rod or lever.
"The mechanic noticed a worn cam inside the old motor."
"As the cam turns, it pushes the rod up and down."
"The engine's valves are timed by a rotating cam."
2
A spring-loaded metal wedge that climbers jam into a rock crack to create a temporary anchor.
"She slotted a cam into the narrow crack and clipped her rope to it."
"Climbers often carry a set of cams in different sizes."
"He placed a cam in the crack before continuing the climb."
3
Informal short form of "camera" or "webcam."
"My laptop cam stopped working just before the meeting."
"He pointed the cam at the bird feeder in the garden."
"She set up her cam for the video call."
verb
1
To appear or chat on webcam.
"They agreed to cam later that evening."
How to use cam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often used today as short for "camera/webcam," or for the mechanical part that drives motion in an engine.
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Word forms
- Plural
- cams
- Third person singular
- cams
- Past tense
- cammed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The mechanic noticed a worn _____ inside the old motor.
Etymology
Recorded since the 1500s, from Dutch kam ("cog, comb") — a doublet of the English word "comb."
Class of 1500
cam joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cam
See all rhymes for cam →Frequently asked questions
What does “cam” mean?
The word “cam” means a rotating or sliding mechanical part shaped to convert its motion into movement of a connected rod or lever. In plain terms, most often used today as short for "camera/webcam," or for the mechanical part that drives motion in an engine.
How do you pronounce “cam”?
“Cam” is pronounced KAM (/ˈkeə̯m/ in IPA).
How do you use “cam” in a sentence?
Here is “cam” used in a sentence: “The engine's valves are timed by a rotating cam.”
What part of speech is “cam”?
Depending on how it is used, “cam” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cam” come from?
The word “cam” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Dutch. Recorded since the 1500s, from Dutch kam ("cog, comb") — a doublet of the English word "comb.".
Is “cam” a common word?
“Cam” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cam” have?
“Cam” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rotating or sliding mechanical part shaped to convert its motion into movement of a connected rod or lever.
What is the difference between a cam and a crankshaft in an engine?
A cam is a shaped part that rotates or slides to push a rod or lever into a specific pattern of movement, such as opening and closing valves. A crankshaft, by contrast, converts the up-and-down motion of pistons into rotation; the two work together but perform opposite jobs in the mechanism.
What does a cam do in climbing gear?
In climbing, a cam is a spring-loaded metal wedge that a climber jams into a rock crack to create a temporary anchor. When weight is applied, the spring-loaded lobes expand against the walls of the crack to grip more tightly and hold a fall.
Is a cam the same thing as a camshaft?
No, though they are related. A cam is the individual shaped lobe that pushes a rod or lever, while a camshaft is the rotating rod on which one or more cams are mounted.
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