Definition of jam
: a food made by boiling fruit and sugar to a thick consistency
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Origin and Etymology of jam
Definition of jam
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
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
- 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
Examples of jam in a Sentence
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.
Origin and Etymology of jam
Definition of jam
1 a
: a crowded mass that impedes or blocks movement
- a traffic jam
b
: an act or instance of becoming blocked or jammed (see 2jam)
- 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
6
slang
: a musical piece
Origin and Etymology of jam
Jam
abbreviation
Definition of Jam
Jamaica
JAM Defined for English Language Learners
JAM Defined for Kids
Definition of jam for Students
jammed;
jamming
1
: to crowd, squeeze, or wedge into a tight position
- Fans jammed the auditorium.
2
: to put into action hard or suddenly
- He jammed his hands into his pockets.
- She jammed on the brakes.
3
: to hurt by pressure
- I jammed a finger in the car door.
4
: to be or cause to be stuck or unable to work because a part is wedged tight
- Paper jammed the copier.
5
: to cause interference in (radio or television signals)
Learn More about jam
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See words that rhyme with jam Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for jam Spanish Central: Translation of jam Nglish: Translation of jam for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of jam for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about jam
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