jabs; jabbed; jabbing
1
: to push something sharp or hard quickly or suddenly into or toward someone or something
The nurse jabbed the needle into his arm. = The nurse jabbed his arm with a needle.
She jabbed her elbow into my ribs. = She jabbed me in the ribs with her elbow.
He jabbed at the other player with his hockey stick.
2
: to be pushed quickly and suddenly into someone or a part of someone's body
The needle jabbed his arm.
The needle jabbed into his arm.
plural jabs
1
: a quick or sudden hit with something sharp or hard
She gave him a jab in the ribs.
—sometimes used figurativelyIn his speech, he took a jab at [=criticized] the senator.
2
boxing
: a short, straight punch
He threw a right/left jab to his opponent's body.
3
British, informal
: an injection of something (such as medicine) into your body with a needle
a flu jab [=(chiefly US) shot]
Cite this Entry
“Jab.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/jab. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
