jam

¹jam

verb \ˈjam\

jammedjam·ming

Definition of JAM

intransitive verb

1

a : to become blocked or wedged b : to become unworkable through the jamming of a movable part

2

: to force one's way into a restricted space

3

: to take part in a jam session

4

: dunk 2

transitive verb

1

a : to press into a close or tight position <jam his hat on> b (1) : to cause to become wedged so as to be unworkable <jam the typewriter keys> (2) : to make unworkable by jamming c : to block passage of : obstruct d : to fill often to excess : pack <the crowd jammed the theater>

2

: to push forcibly; especially : to apply (brakes) suddenly and forcibly —used with on

3

: crush, bruise

4

a : to make unintelligible by sending out interfering signals or messages b : to make (as a radar apparatus) ineffective by jamming signals or by causing reflection of radar waves

5

: to block, crowd, or bump (a pass receiver) near the line of scrimmage in football

6

: to pitch inside to (a batter)

— jam·mer \ˈja-mər\ noun

Examples of JAM

1. Thousands of people jammed into the hall.
2. People were jamming the exits after the concert.
3. He jammed the book back into the bookcase.
4. She jammed her foot down hard on the brakes.
5. She jammed on the brakes.
6. A piece of paper jammed the copy machine.

Origin of JAM

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1706

Related to JAM

Synonyms: cram, crush, crowd, ram, sandwich, shoehorn, squeeze, stuff, wedge

Antonyms: clear, free, open (up), unblock, unclog, unplug, unstop

Related Words: fill, heap, jam-pack, load, pack

Near Antonyms: excavate, hollow (out), scoop (out); empty, lighten

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with JAM

bam, cam, clam, cram, dam, damn, drachm, dram, DRAM, flam, gam, gram, ham, Ham, jamb, lam, lamb, ma'am, pram, ram, RAM, Sam, SAM, scam, scram, sham, slam, spam, tam, tram, wham, yam