jamb

¹

or jambe

[ jam ]

noun

1. Architecture, Building Trades.
   1. either of the vertical sides of a doorway, arch, window, or other opening.
   2. either of two stones, timbers, etc., forming the sidepieces for the frame of an opening.
2. Armor. greave.

jamb

²

[ jam ]

verb (used with or without object)

, Obsolete.

1. an obsolete variant of jam ¹.

jamb

/ dʒæm /

noun

1. a vertical side member of a doorframe, window frame, or lining
2. a vertical inside face of an opening in a wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of jamb¹

1350–1400; Middle English jambe < Middle French: leg, jamb < Late Latin gamba, variant of camba pastern, leg < Greek kampḗ bend of a limb

Word History and Origins

Origin of jamb¹

C14: from Old French jambe leg, jamb, from Late Latin gamba hoof, hock, from Greek kampē joint

Example Sentences

On the latch side and the top, that’s along the lip in the door jamb.

From Washington Post

Once I got things set, I marked where the hinges met the jamb.

From Popular-Science

Her chum leaned against the door jamb while peal after peal of laughter shook her.

From Project Gutenberg

He had come nearer, and now, before the woman could shut the door, he thrust his foot between it and the jamb.

From Project Gutenberg

The wall switch for the electric light in the lower hall at the headquarters was right beside the outer door jamb—as I knew.

From Project Gutenberg

It perplexed even Jellia Jamb, for a time, to know what to do with the animal.

From Project Gutenberg

He leaned against the door-jamb and indulged in bitter reflections.

From Project Gutenberg