(~s)
1.
A ~ is a line of stitches which joins two pieces of cloth together.
N-COUNT
2.
A ~ of coal is a long, narrow layer of it underneath the ground.
The average UK coal ~ is one metre thick.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
3.
If something is coming apart at the ~s or is falling apart at the ~s, it is no longer working properly and may soon stop working completely.
Britain’s university system is in danger of falling apart at the ~s.
PHRASE: V inflects
4.
If a place is very full, you can say that it is bursting at the ~s.
The hotels of Warsaw, Prague and Budapest were bursting at the ~s.
PHRASE: V inflects