jam

1 of 4

noun (1)

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

jam

2 of 4

verb

jammed; jamming

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

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
jammer noun

jam

3 of 4

noun (2)

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
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
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
In college, reading his [Robert F. Kennedy's] speeches—"that was my jam," she [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] said.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

Jam

4 of 4

abbreviation

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
For a bit more adrenaline, the Class IV New River Dries section rushes through soaring, narrow cliffs as rafters navigate tight boulder jams and giant waves. Emily Pennington, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 Shortly after play resumed, Furphy took off from the left corner, went through the middle and delivered a monstrous jam. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024 The duo shingled strips of sirloin cooked sous vide in duck fat, garlic, thyme and rosemary between layers of blue cheese bacon mousse and braised short rib jam. The Indianapolis Star, 27 Feb. 2024 What starts as a rock jam quickly evolves into a hip-hop beat that only speeds up as the song continues. Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2024 Watch Corey Cott and the cast of the new Broadway musical have an epic jam sesh. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2024 Gillis, playing an Ohio Catholic dad who drags his family to church while vacationing in Jamaica, catches the spirit (and a pretty decent patois) and the whole sketch ends with a literal crossing of the aisle as the white tourist family jams alongside the Jamaican congregation. Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2024 Chad Smith strolled on stage at Innings Festival and banged a gong to usher in the lengthy instrumental jam that set the tone for Red Hot Chili Peppers’ performance at Tempe Beach Park. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 24 Feb. 2024 Only one release from the jam band, 2023’s Farmhouse, climbed higher. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Verb
According to police, Baby K attempted to shoot a 14-year-old boy multiple times aboard the bus with a gun that jammed each time. Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 Nearly 5,000 fans jammed the arena for Sunday’s Faith and Family Day event. Zach Welch, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024 But each Breakwater only jams one band, so several may be needed. David Hambling, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 The Rising Stars game is a nice idea that the league has jammed onto Friday night, before anyone of serious importance arrives in town. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2024 Kim Kardashian has been jamming out her entire life. Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 17 Feb. 2024 Brews and heavy metal are jamming together again as Orange County band Avenged Sevenfold and Four Sons Brewing team up for another beer collaboration. Richard Guzman, Orange County Register, 13 Feb. 2024 So, taxpayers are hitting social media with questions and jamming up the Treasury's phone lines. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 27 Feb. 2024 Bob Marley: One Love is thriving for the second week in a row after jamming its way to No. 1 with a domestic intake of $13.5 million. Shania Russell, EW.com, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jam.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

probably from jam entry 2

Verb and Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1736, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1706, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of jam was in 1706

Dictionary Entries Near jam

Cite this Entry

“Jam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids 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 noun
1
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

More from Merriam-Webster on jam

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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