Oakum

/ˈəʊkəm/
noun

A material made from old rope, used for filling gaps or cracks.

His job was to fill the ship hull's cracks with oakum.
Visual representation of "oakum" - A material made from old rope, used for filling gaps or cracks.

Often appears as...

  • fill with oakum
  • oakum picking
noun

A material used in the past by prisoners as a kind of punishment or manual labor.

In the old days, prisoners were forced to pick oakum as a part of their punishment.
Visual representation of "oakum" - A material used in the past by prisoners as a kind of punishment or manual labor.

Often appears as...

  • picking oakum
  • oakum punishment

Usage tips

Disapproving

Historical

noun

A material made from old rope, used for filling gaps or cracks.

His job was to fill the ship hull's cracks with oakum.
Visual representation of "oakum" - A material made from old rope, used for filling gaps or cracks.

Often appears as...

  • fill with oakum
  • oakum picking
noun

A material used in the past by prisoners as a kind of punishment or manual labor.

In the old days, prisoners were forced to pick oakum as a part of their punishment.
Visual representation of "oakum" - A material used in the past by prisoners as a kind of punishment or manual labor.

Often appears as...

  • picking oakum
  • oakum punishment

Usage tips

Disapproving

Historical

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "oakum"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Nautical Use

Oakum is often used in a maritime context for repairing ships, referring to its sealing properties.

Illustration for Nautical Use
The dockworker skillfully packed oakum into the seam.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Physical Texture

Oakum is fibrous and stringy, as it is made from frayed old ropes, usually hemp or jute.

Illustration for Physical Texture
Oakum's texture made it ideal to seal the wooden planks.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Renovation Relevance

Oakum can be used in the renovation of historic buildings to maintain authenticity.

Illustration for Renovation Relevance
We used oakum to preserve the original look of the old house.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Nautical Use

Oakum is often used in a maritime context for repairing ships, referring to its sealing properties.

Illustration for Nautical Use
The dockworker skillfully packed oakum into the seam.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Physical Texture

Oakum is fibrous and stringy, as it is made from frayed old ropes, usually hemp or jute.

Illustration for Physical Texture
Oakum's texture made it ideal to seal the wooden planks.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Renovation Relevance

Oakum can be used in the renovation of historic buildings to maintain authenticity.

Illustration for Renovation Relevance
We used oakum to preserve the original look of the old house.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Nautical Use

Oakum is often used in a maritime context for repairing ships, referring to its sealing properties.

Illustration for Nautical Use
The dockworker skillfully packed oakum into the seam.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Physical Texture

Oakum is fibrous and stringy, as it is made from frayed old ropes, usually hemp or jute.

Illustration for Physical Texture
Oakum's texture made it ideal to seal the wooden planks.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Renovation Relevance

Oakum can be used in the renovation of historic buildings to maintain authenticity.

Illustration for Renovation Relevance
We used oakum to preserve the original look of the old house.
Visual representation of the word "Oakum"

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