: a food made by boiling fruit and sugar to a thick consistency
jammed; jamming
1
a
: to become blocked, wedged, or stuck fast
The line jammed and the boat hung useless.
b
: to become unworkable when a movable part becomes blocked or stuck
the gun jammed
2
: to force one's way into a restricted space
People continued to jam into the already crowded hall.
3
: to improvise on a musical instrument with a group : to take part in a jam session
musicians jamming together
4
basketball
: dunk sense 2
1
a
: to press into a close or tight position
jammed his hat on
b(1)
: to cause to become wedged or stuck so as to be unworkable
jam the typewriter keys
(2)
: to make (machinery) unworkable by becoming wedged or stuck
The paper jammed the printer.
c
: to block passage of : obstruct
traffic jammed by an accident
d
: to fill often to excess : pack
the crowd jammed the theater
2
: to push forcibly
jammed the shovel into the ground
especially
: to apply (brakes) suddenly and forcibly
—used with on
suddenly jammed on the brakes
3
: to cause (a part of the body) to be painfully crushed or squeezed
jammed his finger in the door
4
a
: to make unintelligible by sending out interfering signals or messages
jam a radio broadcast
b
: to make (a radar apparatus) ineffective by sending out interfering signals or by causing reflection of radar waves
trying to jam the enemy's radar
5
football
: to block, crowd, or bump (a pass receiver) near the line of scrimmage
The receiver got jammed at the line.
6
baseball
: to pitch inside to (a batter)
jammed him with a fastball
1
a
: a crowded mass that impedes or blocks movement
a traffic jam
b
: an act or instance of becoming blocked or jammed (see jam entry 2)
paper causing a jam of the copier
2
a
: the quality or state of being blocked, stopped, or jammed
the jam of the legislature caused by the piling up of new bills in the final days
b
: the pressure or congestion of a crowd : crush
a jam of people
3
: a difficult situation or state of affairs : fix
got into a jam
4
5
basketball
: dunk shot
6
slang
a
: a musical piece
Although Rodriguez claimed to know nothing about music, he seemed certain of one thing regarding Lopez's latest jam: "I knew it was going to be a smash the first time I heard it."—
Abby Jones
Abby Jones
especially
: one that is favored or preferred over others
Everyone has their song—or songs—they listen to when they are doing some kind of exercise. For Carrie Underwood, though, it sounds like her jam is whatever music she's just discovered. —Alison Bonaguro
Alison Bonaguro
b
: a favorite or much-loved item, subject, interest, activity, etc.
We think potatoes go with pretty much everything, and these are a straightforward classic that pairs beautifully with the brightly flavored, mustardy chicken. Leave out the oregano if you don't have it or if it's not your jam.—Margaux Laskey
Margaux LaskeyIn college, reading his [Robert F. Kennedy's] speeches—"that was my jam," she [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] said.—David Remnick
David Remnick… he loves to go grocery shopping at PCC, and his oldest son introduced him recently to New Seasons Market. Cooking—especially making salmon—is his jam.—Lisa Patterson
Lisa Patterson
Jamaica
Examples of jam in a Sentence
Verb
Thousands of people jammed into the hall.
People were jamming the exits after the concert.
He jammed the book back into the bookcase.
She jammed her foot down hard on the brakes.
She jammed on the brakes.
A piece of paper jammed the copy machine.
Noun (2)
thousands of cars trying to leave the stadium's parking lot at the same time are sure to create a jam
the heavy rain puts us in a real jam: all of the preparations are for a garden wedding
Recent Examples on the Web
Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
The pickoff saved the Los Angeles Dodgers a run, as starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow walked Varsho and then gave up a single to Alejandro Kirk, but got the following two batters out to escape the jam.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
Once the sclerites get close enough to their neighbors, their branches jam together, holding them in place.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jam
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
The bacon jam items are the last of the holiday menu choices.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
The pickoff saved the Los Angeles Dodgers a run, as starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow walked Varsho and then gave up a single to Alejandro Kirk, but got the following two batters out to escape the jam.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Somehow, the obstacle was reducing pressure from building at the exit, preventing the grains from jamming up.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
Once the sclerites get close enough to their neighbors, their branches jam together, holding them in place.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jam
Cite this Entry
“Jam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
jam
1 of 3 verb
jammed; jamming
1
a
: to press or push into a close or tight position
jam a book into a bookcase
b
: to be or cause to be wedged so as to be unworkable
jam the typewriter keys
c
: to crowd into : pack
2000 people jammed the hall
2
: to push suddenly and with force
jam on the brakes
3
: to squeeze or crush painfully
jammed my finger in the door
4
: to make impossible to understand by sending out interfering signals or messages
jam a radio broadcast
5
: to take part in a jam session
jammer
noun
jam
2 of 3 noun1
a
: an act or instance of jamming
b
: a crowded mass that slows or prevents movement
traffic jam
2
: a difficult state of affairs
jam
3 of 3 noun
: a food made of fruit and sugar thickened by boiling
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