scram

¹ American  

[skram] / skræm /

verb (used without object)

Informal.

scrammed, scramming

1. to go away; get out (usually used as a command).

   I said I was busy, so scram.

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scram ² American  

[skram] / skræm /

noun

1. the rapid shutdown of a nuclear reactor in an emergency.

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verb (used with object)

1. to shut down (a nuclear reactor) rapidly in an emergency.

scram ¹ British  

/ skræm /

noun

1. an emergency shutdown of a nuclear reactor

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verb

1. (of a nuclear reactor) to shut down or be shut down in an emergency

scram ² British  

/ skræm /

verb

1. informal (intr; often imperative) to go away hastily; get out

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Etymology

Origin of scram¹

1925–30; probably shortened form of scramble (but compare German schramm, imperative singular of schrammen to depart)

Origin of scram²

1945–50; perhaps identical with scram ¹, though sense development is unclear

Example Sentences

Other Welsh words in the latest update of the OED include nobbling and scram.

From BBC • Sep. 26, 2025

I go up onto the porch and my boys go up onto the porch and I tell the neighbor kid—Kyan, his name is—to scram.

From Slate • Apr. 29, 2023

If a cop tells you to scram, “You can say, ‘It is my understanding I have every right to record this.

From Seattle Times • May 21, 2021

If an officer tells you to scram, “you can say, ‘It is my understanding I have every right to record this.

From Washington Post • Apr. 22, 2021

“I guess we ought to really scram, huh,” I say, composing my voice, “if I want to swing by Applebee’s before the bus?”

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle