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

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

²jam

noun

Definition of JAM

1

a : an act or instance of jamming

b : a crowded mass that impedes or blocks <a traffic jam>

2

a : the quality or state of being jammed

b : the pressure or congestion of a crowd : crush

3

: a difficult state of affairs : fix <got into a jam>

4

: jam session

5

: dunk shot

6

slang : a musical piece

First Known Use of JAM

1805

³jam

noun

Definition of JAM

: a food made by boiling fruit and sugar to a thick consistency

— jam·my \ˈja-mē\ adjective

Origin of JAM

probably from ¹jam

First Known Use: circa 1736

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Jam

abbreviation

Definition of JAM

Jamaica