logjam

log·jam | \ ˈlȯg-ˌjam

How to pronounce logjam (audio)

, ˈläg- \

Definition of logjam

1 : a jumble of logs jammed together in a watercourse

2a : deadlock, impasse trying to break the logjam in negotiations

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Examples of logjam in a Sentence

He was called in to try to break the logjam in the negotiations. the presence of an ambulance on the side of the highway created a logjam of rubberneckers who just had to have a look

Recent Examples on the Web But not before a political logjam had allowed a local outbreak to kindle a global pandemic. — New York Times, "25 Days That Changed the World: How Covid-19 Slipped China’s Grasp," 1 Jan. 2021 At my most recent appointment, the doctor’s office was backed up in a holiday logjam. — Washington Post, "This terrible year taught me something about hope," 31 Dec. 2020 The backlog for unemployment benefits grew so bad that Newsom assigned a task force to specifically look into the logjam at the Employment Development Department, which manages unemployment benefits. — Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, "Millions of Americans unemployed because of COVID are still waiting on unemployment assistance," 22 Dec. 2020 Now a hasty, last-ditch deal appears to have broken the logjam: on December 20th Congressional leaders from both parties announced a compromise package thought to cost $900bn. — The Economist, "America’s Congress agrees on a long-overdue stimulus compromise," 21 Dec. 2020 In California the number of unpaid unemployment claims—the best indication of a logjam—is up 34% in the past three weeks. — Anne Sraders, Fortune, "Why the unemployment system is broken and how Biden plans to fix it," 16 Dec. 2020 After months of partisanship and politicking about a relief package, the logjam broke after President-elect Joe Biden urged his party to accept a compromise with top Republicans that is smaller than many Democrats would have liked. — Time, "President Trump Suggests He Won’t Sign COVID-19 Relief Bill – and Says Americans Should Get $2,000," 23 Dec. 2020 After months of partisanship and politicking about pandemic relief, the logjam broke after Biden urged his party to accept a compromise with top Republicans that is smaller than many Democrats would have liked. — chicagotribune.com, "Second stimulus check updates: Pelosi urges ‘sign the bill’ as Trump assails Congress’ $900 billion COVID relief package," 23 Dec. 2020 The logjam of streaming holdouts seems to be easing. — Aaron Pressman, Fortune, "All that’s redacted in the Texas lawsuit against Google," 17 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'logjam.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

16 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Logjam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/logjam. Accessed 21 Jan. 2021.

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