spam

1 of 3

noun

ˈspam 

: unsolicited usually commercial messages (such as emails, text messages, or Internet postings) sent to a large number of recipients or posted in a large number of places

spam

2 of 3

verb

spammed; spamming

transitive verb

: to send or post spam to

spammed customers with discount offers

spamming a message board

intransitive verb

: to send or post spam

The company was accused of spamming via text messages.

spammer noun

Spam

3 of 3

trademark

—used for a canned meat product

Examples of spam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Indeed, across social media on Wednesday, people were hoping — praying, even — that these ominous, panic-inducing spam messages might finally end, posting pictures of thoughtful politicians, or even excited Oprahs, to illustrate the point. —David MacK, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024

Today technological changes—including caller ID, the rise of texting and the proliferation of spam messages—have led very few people to pick up the phone or answer unprompted text messages. —Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

Just have good manners and don’t spam those stickers out. —Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024

That means Emmy voters could easily spam their ballots with SNL options … or the competition for votes could dilute the show’s totals. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 6 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from a skit on the British television series Monty Python's Flying Circus in which chanting of the word Spam overrides the other dialogue

First Known Use

Noun

1990, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1994, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing spam

• anti-spam
• spam filter

Kids Definition

spam

1 of 2 noun

ˈspam 

: unsolicited usually commercial email sent to a large number of addresses

spam

2 of 2 verb

: to send spam to

spammer noun