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slammer

American  
[slam-er] / ˈslæm ər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that slams.

  2. Also called the slam.  Slang. Usually the slammer. a prison.

slammer British  
/ ˈslæmə /

noun

  1. slang prison

"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

Etymology

Origin of slammer

First recorded in 1955–60; slam 1 + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Yes, Jordan Spieth just needs the PGA and Phil Mickelson the US Open, but the most likely to become the seventh slammer is Scottie Scheffler.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

The series finale includes an homage to the pilot, twisting the circumstances so that this time, it’s Midge bailing Susie out of the slammer and hearing about her heartbreak.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2023

Mr. Lowe claims a false accusation from American Airlines sent him to the slammer for more than two weeks.

From Washington Times • Jun. 9, 2022

It’s a Grade A tip-one-back, leave-your-troubles-at-the-door jukebox slammer that bowled over the stadium crowd like Marshawn Lynch on an undersized defensive back.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2022

It’s a pretty small town and news gets around fast, so by now it was no secret that our father was in the slammer for sinking Dusty Muleman’s casino boat.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.