Hem has 11 different meanings across 5 categories:
Noun · Verb · Intj · Pron · Proper Noun
the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
"the hem of her dress was stained"
"let down the hem"
"he stitched weights into the curtain's hem"
"it seeped along the hem of his jacket"
An utterance or sound of the voice like "hem", often indicative of hesitation or doubt, sometimes used to call attention.
"She carefully pinned the raw edge before sewing a neat hem around the bottom of her skirt."
The border of an article of clothing doubled back and stitched together to finish the edge and prevent it from fraying.
In plain English: A hem is the finished edge of a piece of clothing that keeps fabric from unraveling.
"She carefully adjusted the hem of her skirt before stepping onto the stage."
utter `hem' or `ahem'
"When he started to answer, he cleared his throat and emitted a sharp hem before continuing."
To make the sound expressed by the word hem; to hesitate in speaking.
"After cutting off the excess fabric, she carefully pinned and stitched a neat hem along the bottom of her skirt."
(in sewing) To make a hem.
In plain English: To hem something means to fold over and stitch the edge of fabric to prevent fraying or create a finished look.
"She carefully hemmed the skirt to shorten it."
Used to fill in the gap of a pause with a vocalized sound.
"She hemmed for a moment before admitting she had forgotten her keys."
Obsolete form of 'em.
"The scribe corrected his mistake by crossing out the obsolete hem and writing the proper em instead."
A surname.
"The local news reported that Hem was elected as the new mayor of the district."
The word hem originated as an onomatopoeic sound imitating a person clearing their throat. It was adopted from this vocalization to describe the act of making such a noise while speaking.