1
: the part of a ship, its equipment, or its cargo that is cast overboard to lighten the load in time of distress and that sinks or is washed ashore
2
Examples of jetsam in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sure, when the pace got really fast, many of these people faded into the background and became the ride’s early flotsam and jetsam.
—
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
That Jia could make anything out of that flotsam and jetsam is astonishing, but his ability to not only recreate those time frames but craft all of it into a woozy, free-floating memory piece is miraculous.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2025
Full of the flotsam and jetsam of everyday affairs.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 July 2024
Luke called the vultures back and reshot the scene with the jetsam of pestilence.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for jetsam
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
That Jia could make anything out of that flotsam and jetsam is astonishing, but his ability to not only recreate those time frames but craft all of it into a woozy, free-floating memory piece is miraculous.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2025
Full of the flotsam and jetsam of everyday affairs.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 July 2024
Luke called the vultures back and reshot the scene with the jetsam of pestilence.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for jetsam
Cite this Entry
“Jetsam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jetsam. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
jetsam
noun
jet·sam
ˈjet-səm 
: goods thrown overboard to lighten a ship in distress
especially
: such goods when washed ashore
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share