ice jam

American  

noun

1. an obstruction of broken river ice in a narrow part of a channel.

2. a mass of lake or sea ice broken and piled up against the shore by wind pressure.

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Etymology

Origin of ice jam

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing this weekend, which could help break up the ice jam.

From Washington Times • Jan. 29, 2021

In Newaygo County, Mich., where a 21-mile ice jam on the Muskegon River had flooded yards and closed a bridge, the warm-up was welcome.

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2019

The Allegheny River ice jam begins at the Springdale/Plum area and extends upriver past the Tarentum Bridge.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2018

Watch drone footage of the Susquehanna River ice jam:

From Washington Post • Jan. 17, 2018

It was during the time young Edison was employed at Port Huron," the radio continued, "that the cable under River St. Clair between that city and Port Sarnia was severed by an ice jam.

From Radio Boys Cronies Or, Bill Brown's Radio by Whipple, Wayne