1. The utterance of a sound similar to clearing the throat; intended to get attention, express hesitancy, fill a pause, hide embarrassment, warn a friend, etc.
   "He gave a subtle ahem to signal it was time to leave";
   - hem

1. Gentle utterance used to call someone's attention
   - hem, hmm, h'm
    
2. Exclamation expressing doubt, deliberation, dissent, or hesitation
   - hum, hmm, h'm

Derived forms: ahems

Type of: utterance, vocalization

Encyclopedia: Ahem