: a food made by boiling fruit and sugar to a thick consistency
jammed; jamming
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
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
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
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
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
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
Margaux LaskeyIn college, reading his [Robert F. Kennedy's] speeches—"that was my jam," she [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] said.—David Remnick
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
Lisa Patterson
Jamaica
Synonyms
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.
Recent Examples on the WebHannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
Catcher Will Smith worsened the jam moments later, committing a catcher’s interference infraction to load the bases.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Others remarked that the brand’s gold logo seems designed to exploit Meghan’s royal connections, while her company’s possible line of products — jams, tableware, linens — seem similar to what tourists can find at gift shops at British royal palaces.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
The jam was caused when fans recognized the rapper and started yelling for his autograph, the Miami Herald reported.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Crème de brie, prosciutto, carrot sticks, grapes, olives, and fig jam with woven wheat crackers.
—Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024
The Essentials: Don’t leave town without: Beans, jams, and grains from Granor Farm and New Buffalo Farmers Market.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 21 Mar. 2024
In the bottom of the third, a four-pitch leadoff walk and ensuing wild pitch put Glasnow in a jam, setting up Xander Bogaerts for an RBI single.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Oysters are prepared seven different ways, from raw with baja mignonette, yuzu green peppercorn sauce, or cocktail sauce and lemon to jerk-style, with a Caribbean-spiced jam.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024
Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 30 Mar. 2024
Most of the technologies are classified, but one solution is a signal called M-code, which Space Force says will resist jamming and perform better in war than civilian GPS.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The company’s founder James Johnson Flint is a huge music fan and the company encourages colleagues to jam with each other in the company bar called Melomania after work.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The numerous re-sentencing trials, in which jury selection alone can take more than a week, aren’t quite jamming up the courthouse.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2024
That includes videos from Rodrigo, who danced to the song backstage at her Guts World Tour, and Meg, who jammed out to the track while showing off a cute outfit.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2024
Roads leading to the sprawling 225-acre venue – equivalent to roughly 170 American football fields – were jammed with cars some five hours before the gig began at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, according to CNN staff who attended.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024
Russia has tried to use electronic warfare to jam satellite constellations—specifically SpaceX’s Starlink, which provides Ukraine with vital communications.
—Aaron Bateman, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2024
Watch Malone jamming out to his Wallen collab below.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2024
Noun
The pearl headbands may not be her jam today, but she’s got her eye on some fabulous headwear.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
Catcher Will Smith worsened the jam moments later, committing a catcher’s interference infraction to load the bases.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Others remarked that the brand’s gold logo seems designed to exploit Meghan’s royal connections, while her company’s possible line of products — jams, tableware, linens — seem similar to what tourists can find at gift shops at British royal palaces.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
The jam was caused when fans recognized the rapper and started yelling for his autograph, the Miami Herald reported.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Crème de brie, prosciutto, carrot sticks, grapes, olives, and fig jam with woven wheat crackers.
—Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024
The Essentials: Don’t leave town without: Beans, jams, and grains from Granor Farm and New Buffalo Farmers Market.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 21 Mar. 2024
In the bottom of the third, a four-pitch leadoff walk and ensuing wild pitch put Glasnow in a jam, setting up Xander Bogaerts for an RBI single.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Oysters are prepared seven different ways, from raw with baja mignonette, yuzu green peppercorn sauce, or cocktail sauce and lemon to jerk-style, with a Caribbean-spiced jam.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
More than 1,600 aircraft, including civilian aircraft, experienced the interference — known as GPS jamming — in less than two days earlier this week, according to an open-source intelligence account that regularly tracks GPS interference.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 30 Mar. 2024
Most of the technologies are classified, but one solution is a signal called M-code, which Space Force says will resist jamming and perform better in war than civilian GPS.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The company’s founder James Johnson Flint is a huge music fan and the company encourages colleagues to jam with each other in the company bar called Melomania after work.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The numerous re-sentencing trials, in which jury selection alone can take more than a week, aren’t quite jamming up the courthouse.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2024
That includes videos from Rodrigo, who danced to the song backstage at her Guts World Tour, and Meg, who jammed out to the track while showing off a cute outfit.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2024
Roads leading to the sprawling 225-acre venue – equivalent to roughly 170 American football fields – were jammed with cars some five hours before the gig began at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, according to CNN staff who attended.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024
Russia has tried to use electronic warfare to jam satellite constellations—specifically SpaceX’s Starlink, which provides Ukraine with vital communications.
—Aaron Bateman, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2024
Watch Malone jamming out to his Wallen collab below.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jam.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
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
Dictionary Entries Near jam
Cite this Entry
“Jam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jam. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
jam
1 of 3 verb
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 noun1
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
More from Merriam-Webster on 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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