doorjamb

American  

[dawr-jam, dohr-] / ˈdɔrˌdʒæm, ˈdoʊr- /

noun

1. either of the two sidepieces of a doorframe.

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doorjamb British  

/ ˈdɔːˌdʒæm /

noun

1. Also called: doorpost.  one of the two vertical members forming the sides of a doorframe

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Etymology

Origin of doorjamb

First recorded in 1830–40; door + jamb ¹

Compare meaning

How does doorjamb compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• doorjamb vs. doorframe

Example Sentences

If you want the doorjambs — the inner body-colored part of your doors — to match, it can easily take an extra day or so since the area has numerous crevices.

From Seattle Times

“I’d had my head slammed into doorjambs, been strangled, thrown off a porch, had my head beaten into the ground, chased down the street with a shotgun,” she told me.

From New York Times

“We hung blankets in front of the windows, put towels around the doorjambs and put other blankets on the floors just trying to keep the heat in,” Abelson said.

From Los Angeles Times

Hours later, the doorjamb was clearly broken and the door was hanging ajar.

From New York Times

"Nobody answered so he folded it in half and stuck it in the doorjamb."

From Salon