lime

1 of 5

noun (1)

1
2
a
: a caustic highly infusible solid that consists of calcium oxide often together with magnesium oxide, that is obtained by calcining forms of calcium carbonate (such as shells or limestone), and that is used in building (as in mortar and plaster) and in agriculture

called also quicklime

b
: a dry white powder consisting essentially of calcium hydroxide that is made by treating quicklime with water
c
: calcium
carbonate of lime

lime

2 of 5

verb

limed; liming

transitive verb

1
: to smear with a sticky substance (such as birdlime)
2
: to entangle with or as if with birdlime
3
: to treat or cover with lime
lime the lawn in the spring

lime

3 of 5

adjective

: of, relating to, or containing lime or limestone

lime

4 of 5

noun (2)

: a linden tree
especially : linden sense 1a

lime

5 of 5

noun (3)

1
: the small globose yellowish green fruit of a widely cultivated spiny tropical Asian citrus tree (Citrus aurantifolia) with a usually acid juicy pulp used as a flavoring agent and as a source of vitamin C
2
: a tree that bears limes

Examples of lime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Even the drinks are more premium: The Grove had the only bar with a proper margarita, made with top-shelf tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice, instead of neon frozen slush or Cuervo and sour mix. Brett Berk, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 That dip, flanked with rice crackers for scooping, is bright with lime and pungent with vegetarian fish sauce. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2024 Related Articles Lebanese recipe for roasted cauliflower with tahini citrus sauce Stir in the black beans, brown sugar and lime juice and continue to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes more. Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2024 Lively first launched her non-alcoholic drink company in 2021 with elegant glass-bottle branding and flavors including lemon lime, grapefruit, ginger beer and tonic water. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 While there are many variations of the margarita, a classic margarita consists of blanco tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and a lime wedge for garnish. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 Make sour cream mixture: Meanwhile, stir together sour cream and lime juice in a small bowl. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024 While ceviche is seen as a local dish in many countries from Chile to Mexico, Peruvians call this famous concoction of raw fish marinated in lime juice Peru’s national dish. Johanna Read, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Combine Campari, Appleton Reserve Blend, raspberry mint syrup and lime juice in a shaker filled with ice. Alex Apatoff, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
Indeed, of the 180 or so tombs that his team examined at the cemetery, this was the only one that had been limed. Franz Lidz, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lime.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English līm; akin to Old High German līm birdlime, Latin limus mud, slime, and perhaps to Latin linere to smear

Noun (2)

alteration of Middle English lind, from Old English; akin to Old High German linta linden

Noun (3)

Middle French, from Spanish lima, from Arabic līma, līm

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1625, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lime was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near lime

Cite this Entry

“Lime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lime. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lime

1 of 5 noun
1
: a white substance that is primarily an oxide of calcium, is made by heating limestone or shells, and is used in making plaster and cement and in farming
2
: a dry white powder consisting chiefly of the hydroxide of calcium that is made by treating lime with water

lime

2 of 5 verb
limed; liming
: to treat or cover with lime
lime a garden

lime

3 of 5 adjective
: of, relating to, or containing lime or limestone

lime

4 of 5 noun
: a European linden tree

lime

5 of 5 noun
: a fruit like the lemon but smaller and with a yellowish green skin
also : the tropical Asian citrus tree that bears limes
Etymology

Noun

Old English lim "substance from limestone"

Noun

Old English lind "linden tree"

Noun

from French lime "the fruit lime"; of Arabic origin

Medical Definition

lime

1 of 2 noun
: a caustic powdery white highly infusible solid that consists of calcium oxide often together with magnesia

called also quicklime

see limewater
lime adjective

lime

2 of 2 noun
: the small globose yellowish green fruit of a spiny tropical tree of the genus Citrus (C. aurantifolia) that has a usually acid juicy pulp used as a flavoring agent and as a source of vitamin C
also : a tree that bears limes

More from Merriam-Webster on lime

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