jambalaya

noun

jam·​ba·​laya ˌjəm-bə-ˈlī-ə 

1

: rice cooked usually with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimp, or oysters and seasoned with herbs

2

: a mixture of diverse elements

… curious jambalayas of competing elements …

—Neil Hickey

Synonyms of jambalaya

• medley
• variety
• jumble
• assortment
• collage
• gumbo

Examples of jambalaya in a Sentence

its jambalaya of widely diverse nationalities and races gives the urban neighborhood a rich vitality

Recent Examples on the Web

Check out their outdoor dining and enjoy all your favorite oceanside foods like crab cakes, jambalaya, and a seafood platter. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2025

Doeuk tried her hand at making gumbo and jambalaya, and received positive feedback. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Dec. 2025

The holy trinity of onion, bell pepper and celery adds a savory, aromatic base for the jambalaya. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 4 Dec. 2025

This jambalaya needs just four hours on low before the quintessential flavors of New Orleans will be yours to devour. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Louisiana French, from Occitan jambalaia

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for jambalaya

• jeremiah
• nehemiah
• obadiah
• zechariah
• zephaniah
• gaia
• maia
• maya
• playa
• via
• messiah
• nyaya

Kids Definition

jambalaya

noun

jam·​ba·​laya ˌjəm-bə-ˈlī-ə 

: rice cooked with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimps, or oysters and seasoned with herbs