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

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

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

There was a bit of a logjam and Joseph was the odd man out. —Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024

Teoscar Hernández There's a bit of logjam in the outfield, but Teoscar Hernandez is the power-hitting, right-handed bat the Red Sox desperately need. —Drew Vonscio, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

The Dolphins need to win at least three of their final four games to possibly sneak into the postseason with a logjam for the final three AFC wild-card spots. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024

The lobbyists on this list are some of the best in the business and have been go-to advocates during a year defined by unprecedented political events, legislative logjams, federal spending cut crusades and big rulemaking swings by the outgoing Biden administration. —Thehill.com, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1