spam

1 of 3

noun

ˈspam 

: 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

Noun

The court also ruled that claims such as fear of potential identity theft, an increase in spam calls or emails not clearly linked to the breach, and time spent or stress caused by the incident were not sufficient to allow the lawsuit to proceed. — Chase Jordan july 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026

Reddit published an update this week outlining steps the company is taking to curb spam, bot activity and inauthentic content on the platform. — Cody Luongo, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Verb

If your parent uses a Samsung phone, update the phone, turn on Google Messages spam protection, block repeat senders and enable Samsung's spam call protection. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026

Along with Bailey’s willingness to spam the same offering, there was third-base coach Hector Borg’s decision to hold the speedy Drew Gilbert at third base when the rookie had a good opportunity to score the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th of Game 2. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing spam

• anti-spam
• spam filter

Rhymes for spam

• am
• bam
• cham
• clam
• damme
• damn
• dram
• flam
• fram
• gram
• ham
• jam

Kids Definition

spam

1 of 2 noun

ˈspam 

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

spam

2 of 2 verb

: to send spam to

spammer noun