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- Dictionaryfathom/ˈfað(ə)m/
noun
- 1. a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 metres), 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: "the locals could not fathom out the reason behind his new-found prosperity" Similar
- 2. measure the depth of (water): "an attempt to fathom the ocean" Similar
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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.
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.
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.
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."
noun. a unit of length equal to six feet (1.829 metres), used to measure depths of water. mining a unit of volume usually equal to six cubic feet, used in measuring ore bodies. forestry a unit of volume equal to six cubic feet, used for measuring timber.
FATHOM meaning: 1. a unit for measuring the depth of water, equal to 1.8 metres or 6 feet 2. to discover the…. Learn more.
A fathom is a measurement of 1.8 metres or 6 feet, used when referring to the depth of water.
FATHOM definition: 1. to be able to understand something after thinking about it a lot: 2. a unit for measuring the…. Learn more.
Fathom Definition. A unit of length used to measure the depth of water or the length of a nautical rope or cable, equal to 6 ft (1.8288 m) (nautical) A measure of length corresponding to the outstretched arms, standardised to six feet, now used mainly for measuring depths in seas or oceans.
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)