jar

¹ American  

[jahr] / dʒɑr /

noun

1. a broad-mouthed container, usually cylindrical and of glass or earthenware.

   a cookie jar.

2. the quantity such a container can or does hold.

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jar ² American  

[jahr] / dʒɑr /

verb (used without object)

jarred, jarring

1. to have a harshly unpleasant or perturbing effect on one's nerves, feelings, thoughts, etc..

   The sound of the alarm jarred.

2. to produce a harsh, grating sound; sound discordantly.

3. to vibrate audibly; rattle.

   The window jarred in the frame.

4. to vibrate or shake.

5. to conflict, clash, or disagree.

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verb (used with object)

jarred, jarring

1. to cause to rattle or shake.

2. to have a sudden and unpleasant effect upon (the feelings, nerves, etc.).

   The burglary violently jarred their sense of security.

3. to cause to sound harshly or discordantly.

noun

1. a jolt or shake; a vibrating movement, as from concussion.

2. a sudden unpleasant effect upon the mind or feelings; shock.

3. a harsh, grating sound.

4. a discordant sound or combination of sounds.

5. a quarrel or disagreement, especially a minor one.

jar ³ American  

[jahr] / dʒɑr /

noun

1. a turn or turning.

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idioms

1. on the jar, partly opened; ajar.

   The window was on the jar.

jar ¹ British  

/ dʒɑː /

verb

1. to vibrate or cause to vibrate

2. to make or cause to make a harsh discordant sound

3. (often foll by on) to have a disturbing or painful effect (on the nerves, mind, etc)

4. (intr) to disagree; clash

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noun

1. a jolt or shock

2. a harsh discordant sound

jar ² British  

/ dʒɑː /

noun

1. a wide-mouthed container that is usually cylindrical, made of glass or earthenware, and without handles

2. Also: jarful.  the contents or quantity contained in a jar

3. informal a glass of alcoholic drink, esp beer

   to have a jar with someone

4. obsolete a measure of electrical capacitance

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jar ³ British  

/ dʒɑː /

noun

1. (of a door) slightly open; ajar

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Other Word Forms

• jarless adjective
• jarring adjective
• jarringly adverb
• unjarred adjective

Etymology

Origin of jar¹

First recorded in 1585–95; Middle English jarre “liquid measure smaller than a barrel,” possibly from Old French jarre, from Spanish or Portuguese jarra, jarro “a jar, pitcher,” or from Medieval Latin jarra, from Old Provençal jarra, from Arabic jarrah “earthen water vessel”

Origin of jar²

First recorded in 1520–30; probably imitative; chirr

Origin of jar³

First recorded in 1665–75; variant of char ³; ajar ²

Example Sentences

“Not lawyer arguments, not props like a glass of water or a jar of M&Ms, But actual proof in evidence.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

I left a note with a jar of honey.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

“If you’re a kid and no one was looking at the cookie jar and the lid was off, would you take another one?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

It clearly says "for research purposes only" on the label wrapped around the jar.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

He stood and went to the cabinet over the sink, took a vanilla cookie from a jar, and gave it to her.

From This Side of Wild by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• basin
• bottle
• can
• flask
• jug
• pot
• urn
• vase
• vessel