shim

noun
UK: /ʃɪm/
US: /ʃɪm/

  1. A thin piece of material used to fill small gaps or spaces between objects, often to make something level or fit better.

    1. I used a shim to level the table leg.
    2. The carpenter inserted a shim to ensure the doorframe was perfectly aligned before securing it.

  2. In computing, a small piece of code that intercepts and modifies calls to an API or function, often to provide compatibility or fix bugs.

    1. We used a shim to make the old program work.
    2. The developers implemented a shim to address compatibility issues between the new operating system and legacy software components.

Synonyms

wedge filler
shim verb

  1. To use a shim to fill a gap or make something level.

    1. I had to shim the wobbly table.
    2. He carefully shimmed the cabinet into place to ensure it was perfectly vertical.

  2. In computing, to apply a shim (a piece of code that intercepts calls) to software.

    1. They will shim the program to fix it.
    2. The team decided to shim the application rather than rewrite the entire codebase to achieve compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "shim" in English means: A thin piece of material used to fill small gaps or spaces between objects, often to make something level or fit better., In computing, a small piece of code that intercepts and modifies calls to an API or function, often to provide compatibility or fix bugs..

The phonetic transcription of "shim" is /ʃɪm/ in British English and /ʃɪm/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "shim": wedge, filler.

Example usage of "shim": "I used a shim to level the table leg.". More examples on the page.