jam

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈjam 

: a food made by boiling fruit and sugar to a thick consistency

jammy

ˈja-mē 

adjective

jam

2 of 4

verb

jammed; jamming

intransitive verb

1

a

: to become blocked, wedged, or stuck fast

The line jammed and the boat hung useless.

b

: to become unworkable when a movable part becomes blocked or stuck

the gun jammed

2

: to force one's way into a restricted space

People continued to jam into the already crowded hall.

3

: to improvise on a musical instrument with a group : to take part in a jam session

musicians jamming together

4

basketball : dunk sense 2

transitive verb

1

a

: to press into a close or tight position

jammed his hat on

b(1)

: to cause to become wedged or stuck so as to be unworkable

jam the typewriter keys

(2)

: to make (machinery) unworkable by becoming wedged or stuck

The paper jammed the printer.

c

: to block passage of : obstruct

traffic jammed by an accident

d

: to fill often to excess : pack

the crowd jammed the theater

2

: to push forcibly

jammed the shovel into the ground

especially : to apply (brakes) suddenly and forcibly

—used with on

suddenly jammed on the brakes

3

: to cause (a part of the body) to be painfully crushed or squeezed

jammed his finger in the door

4

a

: to make unintelligible by sending out interfering signals or messages

jam a radio broadcast

b

: to make (a radar apparatus) ineffective by sending out interfering signals or by causing reflection of radar waves

trying to jam the enemy's radar

5

football : to block, crowd, or bump (a pass receiver) near the line of scrimmage

The receiver got jammed at the line.

6

baseball : to pitch inside to (a batter)

jammed him with a fastball

jammer

ˈja-mər 

noun

jam

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

a

: a crowded mass that impedes or blocks movement

a traffic jam

b

: an act or instance of becoming blocked or jammed (see jam entry 2)

paper causing a jam of the copier

2

a

: the quality or state of being blocked, stopped, or jammed

the jam of the legislature caused by the piling up of new bills in the final days

b

: the pressure or congestion of a crowd : crush

a jam of people

3

: a difficult situation or state of affairs : fix

got into a jam

4

: jam session

5

basketball : dunk shot

6

slang

a

: a musical piece

Although Rodriguez claimed to know nothing about music, he seemed certain of one thing regarding Lopez's latest jam: "I knew it was going to be a smash the first time I heard it."

—Abby Jones

especially : one that is favored or preferred over others

Everyone has their song—or songs—they listen to when they are doing some kind of exercise. For Carrie Underwood, though, it sounds like her jam is whatever music she's just discovered.

—Alison Bonaguro

b

: a favorite or much-loved item, subject, interest, activity, etc.

We think potatoes go with pretty much everything, and these are a straightforward classic that pairs beautifully with the brightly flavored, mustardy chicken. Leave out the oregano if you don't have it or if it's not your jam.

—Margaux Laskey

In college, reading his [Robert F. Kennedy's] speeches—"that was my jam," she [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] said.

—David Remnick

… he loves to go grocery shopping at PCC, and his oldest son introduced him recently to New Seasons Market. Cooking—especially making salmon—is his jam.

—Lisa Patterson

Jam

4 of 4

abbreviation

Jamaica

Synonyms

Verb

• cram
• crowd
• crush
• ram
• sandwich
• shoehorn
• squeeze
• stuff
• wedge

Noun (2)

• backup
• bottleneck
• jam-up
• logjam
• snarl
• tailback [British]
• tie-up

Examples of jam in a Sentence

Verb

Thousands of people jammed into the hall.

People were jamming the exits after the concert.

He jammed the book back into the bookcase.

She jammed her foot down hard on the brakes.

She jammed on the brakes.

A piece of paper jammed the copy machine.

Noun (2)

thousands of cars trying to leave the stadium's parking lot at the same time are sure to create a jam

the heavy rain puts us in a real jam: all of the preparations are for a garden wedding

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Advertisement Security camera video showed the shooter approach Thompson from behind, level his pistol and fire several shots, barely pausing to clear a brief gun jam while the dying health executive tumbled to the pavement. —Michael Balsamo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024

This creates a very fruity style of wine, which instantly enchants with notes of ripe raspberry jam, red floral and spice. —Liz Thach, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Verb

Even as the weapon appeared to jam, the shooter remained composed, standing over Thompson and firing again before walking away, leaving behind bullet casings inscribed with messages, multiple news outlets reported. —Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

The shooter’s pistol, which police said was affixed with a silencer device, appears to jam. —Christopher Cann, The Courier-Journal, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

probably from jam entry 2

Verb and Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1736, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1706, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing jam

• anti-jam
• jam band
• jam-pack
• jam session
• jam-up
• money for jam
• slam/jam on the brakes
• traffic jam

Kids Definition

jam

1 of 3 verb

ˈjam 

jammed; jamming

1

a

: to press or push into a close or tight position

jam a book into a bookcase

b

: to be or cause to be wedged so as to be unworkable

jam the typewriter keys

c

: to crowd into : pack

2000 people jammed the hall

2

: to push suddenly and with force

jam on the brakes

3

: to squeeze or crush painfully

jammed my finger in the door

4

: to make impossible to understand by sending out interfering signals or messages

jam a radio broadcast

5

: to take part in a jam session

jammer noun

jam

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: an act or instance of jamming

b

: a crowded mass that slows or prevents movement

traffic jam

2

: a difficult state of affairs

jam

3 of 3 noun

: a food made of fruit and sugar thickened by boiling