spam

1 of 3

noun

: unsolicited usually commercial messages (such as emails, text messages, or Internet postings) sent to a large number of recipients or posted in a large number of places

spam

2 of 3

verb

spammed; spamming

transitive verb

: to send or post spam to
spammed customers with discount offers
spamming a message board

intransitive verb

: to send or post spam
The company was accused of spamming via text messages.
spammer noun

Spam

3 of 3

trademark

used for a canned meat product

Examples of spam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Some ignore the Swedish number — like Brunkow, who assumed the pre-dawn call was spam. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025 Many suspect a spam call and don't pick up the phone, leading foundation staff to sometimes devise ruses. Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Gallen’s plan against Eldridge was simple: spam him with changeups. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025 Skip LinkedIn, go niche Morgan says most people spam LinkedIn with their resumes and get buried instantly. Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spam

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from a skit on the British television series Monty Python's Flying Circus in which chanting of the word Spam overrides the other dialogue

First Known Use

Noun

1990, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1994, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of spam was in 1990

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spam. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

spam

1 of 2 noun
: unsolicited usually commercial email sent to a large number of addresses

spam

2 of 2 verb
: to send spam to
spammer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spam

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!