1
: a balsamic (see balsamic sense 1) resin
especially
: one from small tropical evergreen trees (genus Commiphora of the family Burseraceae)
2
: an aromatic preparation (such as a healing ointment)
applied a balm to the wound
3
4
: a spicy aromatic odor
… the white lilies in the garden, the herb bed near the bees—everything sent out fragrance and balm into the soft air …—
Agnes S. Turnbull
Agnes S. Turnbull5
: a soothing restorative agency
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.—Jane Austen
Jane AustenSynonyms
Examples of balm in a Sentence
Art can be a balm to the soul.
She shows that laughter is a balm for difficult times.
Recent Examples on the Web
Advertisement Soon enough, as the company coalesced, a paradox developed: The amateur actors came to see performing as a therapeutic balm — even if the play’s turbulent content sometimes summoned up their own sadness and fear.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
Launched in 2016 in the U.K., the brand entered the U.S. in 2021 and counts its vegan hair removal cream and an anti-chafe balm among its bestsellers.
—Noor Lobad, WWD, 18 June 2024
As the final step, a hydrating antioxidant serum is sealed with moisturizer, SPF and lip balm.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 4 June 2024
Not to grab your go-to tube of lip balm or a piece of gum, but to finally organize it.
—Blake Bakkila, Sunset Magazine, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for balm 
Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
Launched in 2016 in the U.K., the brand entered the U.S. in 2021 and counts its vegan hair removal cream and an anti-chafe balm among its bestsellers.
—Noor Lobad, WWD, 18 June 2024
As the final step, a hydrating antioxidant serum is sealed with moisturizer, SPF and lip balm.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 4 June 2024
Not to grab your go-to tube of lip balm or a piece of gum, but to finally organize it.
—Blake Bakkila, Sunset Magazine, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for balm
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'balm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Balm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balm. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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