Carom

A carom is a rebounding or ricocheting motion, usually implying a glancing blow that changes direction. This term most commonly applies to billiards, where a carom refers to hitting two balls with one shot. Beyond billiards, it describes any situation where something bounces off a surface at an angle. The key aspect of a carom is the change of direction following impact, demonstrating a deflection rather than a direct collision.

Carom meaning with examples

• In the exciting billiards match, the player executed a perfect carom, striking the cue ball, which then bounced off the red ball and hit the black ball, winning him the game. The crowd erupted with applause, amazed by the strategic shot. This skillful manoeuvre demonstrated precision and advanced understanding of the table and the balls.
• The hockey puck took a wild carom off the boards, nearly striking the goalie in the face before being cleared by the defenseman. The unexpected trajectory of the puck changed the momentum of the play, requiring quick reactions from all the players on the ice.
• During the pinball game, the silver ball took a carom off the bumper, accelerating rapidly down the playfield towards the flippers. The player had to quickly react and get the ball back into the game.
• The bullet took a carom off the concrete wall, altering its course and narrowly missing its intended target. Fortunately, the bullet deflected in another direction, narrowly missing another person.