logjam

noun

log·​jam ˈlȯg-ˌjam 

ˈläg-

1

: a jumble of logs jammed together in a watercourse

2

a

: deadlock, impasse

trying to break the logjam in negotiations

b

: blockage

c

: jam, crowd

logjam transitive verb

Synonyms of logjam

• jam
• congestion
• bottleneck

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

Unless one of those pieces gets moved this offseason for the high-end center Briere is still seeking, another logjam may be on the horizon. —Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026

That can lead to a logjam at the door, with people arriving before opening and then still waiting for indeterminate times. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026

And the outcome will be vital to conference tournament seeding for both teams in what is a logjam of a league. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026

An oil tanker logjam is now driving up energy prices again, as hundreds of ships remain unable to access the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East; Iran vows to attack any vessel trying to pass through that key shipping lane. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for logjam

• abram
• ashram
• begam
• buckram
• doorjamb
• exam
• goddam
• grandam
• priam
• program
• programme
• wolfram