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jar

noun (1)
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\ ˈjär How to pronounce jar (audio) \

Definition of jar

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1 : a widemouthed container made typically of earthenware or glass a pottery jar a cookie jar
2 : as much as a jar will hold ate an entire jar of pickles

jar

verb
jarred; jarring

Definition of jar (Entry 2 of 4)

intransitive verb

1a : to have a harshly disagreeable or disconcerting effect The noise jarred on her nerves. a jarring experience
b : to make a harsh or discordant sound winced as the iron gate jarred against the sidewalk
c : to be out of harmony a course that jarred with his habitual feelings— George Eliot specifically : bicker
2 : to undergo severe vibration

transitive verb

: to cause to jar: such as
a : to affect disagreeably : unsettle The violent opposition jarred his resolve.
b : to make unstable or loose : shake jar the ball free

jar

noun (2)

Definition of jar (Entry 3 of 4)

1a : a sudden or unexpected shake jars and jolts
b : an unsettling shock gave her nerves a jar
c : an unpleasant break or conflict in rhythm, flow, or transition works persistently, swiftly, without jar— Sinclair Lewis
2a : a state or manifestation of discord or conflict
b : a harsh grating sound

jar

noun (3)

Definition of jar (Entry 4 of 4)

archaic
: the position of being ajar —usually used in the phrase on the jar
Other Words from jar Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about jar

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Other Words from jar

Noun (1)

jarful \ ˈjär-​ˌfu̇l How to pronounce jar (audio) \ noun

Examples of jar in a Sentence

Verb The loss jarred his confidence in the team. The earthquake jarred the tiles loose. The tiles jarred loose in the earthquake.
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First Known Use of jar

Noun (1)

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1526, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1b

Noun (2)

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun (3)

1674, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for jar

Noun (1)

Middle French jarre, from Old Occitan jarra, from Arabic jarra earthen water vessel

Verb and Noun (2)

probably of imitative origin

Noun (3)

alteration of earlier char turn, from Middle English — more at chare

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Cite this Entry

“Jar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jar. Accessed 11 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for jar

jar

verb

English Language Learners Definition of jar

: to have a harsh or unpleasant effect on someone or something
: to hit or shake (something) forcefully
: to make (someone) feel uneasy

See the full definition for jar in the English Language Learners Dictionary

jar

noun
\ ˈjär How to pronounce jar (audio) \

Kids Definition of jar

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a usually glass or pottery container with a wide mouth
2 : the contents of a jar We ate a jar of pickles.

jar

verb
jarred; jarring

Kids Definition of jar (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : to shake or cause to shake hard Jonas was jarred loose and thrown violently into the air.— Lois Lowry, The Giver
2 : to have a disagreeable effect The music jarred on my ears.

jar

noun

Kids Definition of jar (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : jolt entry 2 sense 1 They felt the jar of the plane landing.
2 : shock entry 2 sense 1 … the sound of his voice went through me with a jar.— Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped

More from Merriam-Webster on jar

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for jar

Nglish: Translation of jar for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of jar for Arabic Speakers

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