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- DictionaryFath·om/ˈfaT͟Həm/
noun
- 1. a unit of length equal to six feet (approximately 1.8 m), chiefly used in reference to the depth of water: "sonar says that we're in eighteen fathoms"
verb
- 1. understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought: "he couldn't fathom why she was being so anxious"
- 2. measure the depth of (water): "an attempt to fathom the ocean"
The meaning of FATHOM is a unit of length equal to six feet (1.83 meters) used especially for measuring the depth of water —sometimes used in the singular when qualified by a number. How to use fathom in a sentence.
FATHOM definition: 1. a unit for measuring the depth of water, equal to 1.8 metres or 6 feet 2. to discover the…. Learn more.
To fathom something is to understand it thoroughly. It's usually used in the negative, as in "I can't fathom why he doesn't want to go along with us." Fathom is from Middle English fadme, from Old English fæthm, "outstretched arms."
Fathom definition: a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters): used chiefly in nautical measurements. Abbreviation. See examples of FATHOM used in a sentence.
to discover the meaning of something: For years people have been trying to fathom the mysteries of the whale's song. fathom out I still haven't fathomed out how to put this bookcase together. Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples. He doesn't seem to comprehend the scale of the problem.
n. 1. (Units) a unit of length equal to six feet (1.829 metres), used to measure depths of water. 2. (Mining & Quarrying) mining a unit of volume usually equal to six cubic feet, used in measuring ore bodies. 3. (Forestry) forestry a unit of volume equal to six cubic feet, used for measuring timber. vb ( tr)
A fathom is a measurement of 6 feet or 1.8 meters, used when referring to the depth of water. We sailed into the bay and dropped anchor in five fathoms of water.
Definitions of 'fathom'. 1. A fathom is a measurement of 6 feet or 1.8 meters, used when referring to the depth of water. [...] 2. If you cannot fathom something, you are unable to understand it, although you think carefully about it. [...] More.
FATHOM meaning: 1. to be able to understand something after thinking about it a lot: 2. a unit for measuring the…. Learn more.
A fathom is a unit of length in the imperial and the U.S. customary systems equal to 6 feet (1.8288 m), used especially for measuring the depth of water. [ 1] The fathom is neither an international standard (SI) unit, nor an internationally accepted non-SI unit.
