jam

[ jam ]

/ dʒæm /

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verb (used with object), jammed, jam·ming.

to press, squeeze, or wedge tightly between bodies or surfaces, so that motion or extrication is made difficult or impossible: The ship was jammed between two rocks.

to bruise or crush by squeezing: She jammed her hand in the door.

to fill too tightly; cram: He jammed the suitcase with clothing.

to press, push, or thrust violently, as into a confined space or against some object: She jammed her foot on the brake.

to fill or block up by crowding; pack or obstruct: Crowds jammed the doors.

to put or place in position with a violent gesture (often followed by on): He jammed his hat on and stalked out of the room.

to make (something) unworkable by causing parts to become stuck, blocked, caught, displaced, etc.: to jam a lock.

Radio.

to interfere with (radio signals or the like) by sending out other signals of approximately the same frequency.
(of radio signals or the like) to interfere with (other signals).

Music. to play (a piece) in a freely improvised, swinging way; jazz up: to jam both standard tunes and the classics.

Nautical. to head (a sailing ship) as nearly as possible into the wind without putting it in stays or putting it wholly aback.

verb (used without object), jammed, jam·ming.

to become stuck, wedged, fixed, blocked, etc.: This door jams easily.

to press or push, often violently, as into a confined space or against one another: They jammed into the elevator.

(of a machine, part, etc.) to become unworkable, as through the wedging or displacement of a part.

Music. to participate in a jam session.

to collaborate informally, freely, and creatively with others: Our department was jamming on a customer project and didn't have time to prep a demo for the conference.

Slang.

to make good progress; do well: Working alone is awesome when I’m jamming on a project that I love.
to thoroughly like or enjoy something: The colors came out rather well, but I'm just not jamming on the actual image.

noun

the act of jamming or the state of being jammed.

a mass of objects, vehicles, etc., jammed together or otherwise unable to move except slowly: a log jam; a traffic jam.

Informal. a difficult or embarrassing situation; fix: He got himself into a jam with his boss.

Music.

jam session.
a piece of music: On November 18, the 16-year-old star dropped her new jam, marking an evolution in her sound and style.

Slang.

something that one particularly likes, enjoys, or does well: Seriously, a huge meat patty and garlic fries are pretty much my jam after a day outside.Since math is not my jam, I’ll let y’all figure out the rest.
something that one finds pleasant or easy: Life isn't all jam for me just now.

a contest, meeting, or conference at which people collaborate informally, freely, and creatively: People from 158 countries registered for the jam and shared their ideas for action to improve the quality of life in the world’s cities.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of jam

First recorded in 1700–10; apparently imitative; cf. champ¹, dam¹

Other definitions for jam (2 of 3)

jam²

[ jam ]

/ dʒæm /

noun

a preserve of whole fruit, slightly crushed, boiled with sugar: strawberry jam.

Origin of jam

First recorded in 1730–40; perhaps special use of jam¹ (in the sense “to bruise or crush by squeezing”)

OTHER WORDS FROM jam

jamlike, jammy, adjective

Other definitions for jam (3 of 3)

Jam.

abbreviation

Jamaica.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jam in a sentence

Think of a holiday traffic jam—except one that’s delayed and happens in hospital ERs rather than on the highway.
It’s not too late to cancel Thanksgiving|David Rotman|November 14, 2020|MIT Technology Review
They could do away with the hassle of airports and traffic jams.
Airport planned for ‘Jetsons’-like flying cars|Verne Kopytoff|November 11, 2020|Fortune
On a warm Saturday afternoon in late spring, his mother, Darlene Jones Lundergan, hands Mike his drumsticks for an impromptu jam session during a FaceTime interview.
People with Developmental Disabilities Were Promised Help. Instead, They Face Delays and Denials.|by Amy Silverman for Arizona Daily Star, with data analysis by Alex Devoid, Arizona Daily Star|November 5, 2020|ProPublica
Without a true national pandemic plan, America’s coronavirus response seems like a 50-state traffic jam.
Coronavirus has hit the face of college football|Jerry Brewer|October 30, 2020|Washington Post

In pandemic-free years, America’s biggest trade show, CES, attracts more than 170,000 attendees, bringing traffic that jams surrounding roads day and night.
Elon Musk’s Las Vegas Loop might only carry a fraction of the passengers it promised|David Riggs|October 16, 2020|TechCrunch
Police say Myers charged at the policeman, they wrestled, and then he shot at least three bullets before his gun jammed.
The 14 Teens Killed by Cops Since Michael Brown|Nina Strochlic|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Official Donetsk Republic business was log-jammed because the high command had only one stamp for documents and identity papers.
East Ukraine: Back in the USSR|Jamie Dettmer|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hice is like the Republican version of a right-wing Frankenstein, featuring the worst elements of the GOP jammed into one person.
Jody Hice: Mr. Bigot Goes to Washington?|Dean Obeidallah|June 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And to the people jammed into the tent, of all backgrounds, it was a rock of ages they could share.
The Cradle of Jazz, Blues and Gospel Endlessly Rocking|Jason Berry|April 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I jammed my thumb into my mouth and almost choked on it while the screen lit up with sunny skies on a gleaming lake.
‘Tracing the Blue Light’: Read Chapter 1 of Eileen Cronin’s ‘Mermaid’|Eileen Cronin|April 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Malcolm asked her gently to go back to the helm and keep it jammed hard-a-starboard until they arrived at the left bank.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
But the jar threw my six-shooter where I couldn't reach it, and the carbine was jammed in the stirrup-leather on the wrong side.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
There was nothing stable or strong except the portion of the hull jammed between the rocks which contained the engine.
Toilers of the Sea|Victor Hugo
His helmet was jammed over his eyes, but as he was dragged past us it fell off and rolled to the old man's feet.
The Relief of Mafeking|Filson Young
There were about a dozen of us jammed into the coach, on the box seat and hanging on to the roof and tailboard as best we could.
Over the Sliprails|Henry Lawson

British Dictionary definitions for jam (1 of 3)

jam¹

/ (dʒæm) /

verb jams, jamming or jammed

(tr) to cram or wedge into or against somethingto jam paper into an incinerator

(tr) to crowd or packcars jammed the roads

to make or become stuck or lockedthe switch has jammed

(tr often foll by on) to activate suddenly (esp in the phrase jam on the brakes)

(tr) to block; congestto jam the drain with rubbish

(tr) to crush, bruise, or squeeze; smash

radio to prevent the clear reception of (radio communications or radar signals) by transmitting other signals on the same frequency

(intr) slang to play in a jam session

noun

a crowd or congestion in a confined spacea traffic jam

the act of jamming or the state of being jammed

informal a difficult situation; predicamentto help a friend out of a jam

See jam session

Derived forms of jam

jammer, noun

Word Origin for jam

C18: probably of imitative origin; compare champ 1

British Dictionary definitions for jam (2 of 3)

jam²

/ (dʒæm) /

noun

a preserve containing fruit, which has been boiled with sugar until the mixture sets

slang something desirableyou want jam on it

jam today the principle of living for the moment

Word Origin for jam

C18: perhaps from jam 1 (the act of squeezing)

British Dictionary definitions for jam (3 of 3)

Jam.

abbreviation for

Jamaica

Bible James

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with jam

jam

see under get in a bind.

jam

Origin of jam

Other definitions for jam (2 of 3)

Origin of jam

OTHER WORDS FROM jam

Other definitions for jam (3 of 3)

Words related to jam

How to use jam in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jam (1 of 3)

Derived forms of jam

Word Origin for jam

British Dictionary definitions for jam (2 of 3)

Word Origin for jam

British Dictionary definitions for jam (3 of 3)

Other Idioms and Phrases with jam