jam

JAM/ˈd͡ʒæm/

Pluraljams

Verbjams, jamming, jammed

27 meanings of jam

Practice

1
fruit spreadnouncountable or uncountable
A sweet food made from fruit boiled with sugar until thick, often spread on bread.
Like fruit turned into a thick, sweet spread you can put on bread.
She spread strawberry jam on warm toast.
He used raspberry jam to fill the little tart.
UsageSay a jar of jam or strawberry jam.
Similarjelly, preserve, conserve
2
blockagenouncountable
A point where people or things get stuck and can hardly move, like cars on a busy road.
Like something stuck in a pipe so nothing can pass.
The traffic jam made us late for school.
A paper jam stopped the printer halfway through.
UsageSay a traffic jam when cars cannot move.
Similarblockage, congestion, gridlock, tailback, snarl
Note
3
stuffverbtransitive
To push something hard into a tight space, cramming or squeezing it in.
Like stuffing too many clothes into a bag until it barely closes.
He tried to jam all his clothes into one small bag.
She jammed the papers into the drawer and slammed it shut.
UsageSay jam clothes into a bag: push them in hard.
Similarcram, squeeze, stuff, pack, wedge
Note
4
get stuckverbintransitive
To become stuck so that something cannot move, especially in a tight space.
Like a door that gets stuck and will not open.
The drawer will jam if you push it too hard.
Keys often jam in old locks.
UsageUse jammed shut for something stuck closed: The door jammed shut.
Similarstick, seize, catch, lock
Note
5
casual playingnouncountable
A relaxed, unplanned music session where people play together for fun.
Like friends getting together to play music just for fun, with no set plan.
The band held a jam in the garage on Saturday night.
Anyone with an instrument can join the weekend jam.
UsageAlso called a jam session.
Similarsession, improvisation
Note
6
verbintransitive
To play music with others in a relaxed, unplanned way, often making it up as you go.
Like a group of friends playing music together, making it up as they go.
We like to jam in the basement after dinner.
They jammed for hours without any sheet music.
UsageSay musicians jam together: play without a plan.
Similarimprovise, play, riff
7
tight spotnouncountable
A difficult or awkward situation that is hard to get out of.
Like being stuck in a corner with no easy way out.
We were in a real jam when the car broke down far from home.
Lending him money got me into a jam.
UsageSay I'm in a jam: I have a problem.
Similarfix, trouble, predicament, difficulty, dilemma
Note
8
nouncolloquialcountable
A song or recorded track, especially a really good one.
Like a song so good you want to play it again and again.
This song is my favorite jam right now.
They played all the old jams at the party.
UsageSay a classic jam or a party jam.
Similartune, banger, anthem, bop
Note
9
verbtransitive
To block something or make it stuck so it cannot move or work properly.
Like leaves piling up in a pipe until water cannot flow.
Too many cars jam up the highway every morning.
Leaves jammed up the gutter after the storm.
Similarblock, clog, choke, obstruct, congest
Oppositeclear, unblock, free
10
block signalsverbtransitive
To block or confuse radio or radar signals on purpose, usually by sending out a stronger signal on the same channel.
Like shouting over someone so loudly that no one can hear what they say.
Enemy forces tried to jam the army's radios during the attack.
The device jammed the signal so no calls could get through.
Similarblock, disrupt
Note
11
brainstorm eventnouncountable
A casual event where people get together to brainstorm and work on projects.
Like a group meeting where everyone shares ideas and builds something together.
The school held a coding jam over the weekend.
Students teamed up at a weekend game jam to make simple video games.
UsageSay a game jam: people meet to make games fast.
Similarhackathon, workshop, brainstorm
Note

Less common meanings

12
favorite thingnounslangcountable
A thing that someone really likes or enjoys a lot.
Like your favorite snack that you never get tired of.
This song is my jam.
Pizza on Fridays is totally his jam.
UsageSay this song is my jam: I love it.
Similarthing, bag
Note
13
injure fingerverbtransitive
To hurt a finger or toe by catching it in something, like a door, or hitting its tip hard.
Like stubbing your toe, but it happens to your finger.
I jammed my finger trying to catch the ball.
Be careful not to jam your thumb in the door.
Similarstub, crush, pinch, squash
14
be excellentverbcolloquialintransitive
To be really good or of high quality.
That new album really jams.
These tracks jam from start to finish.
UsageOften used about songs or tracks: this song really jams.
Similarrock, slap, rule
Oppositesuck, stink
15
verbtransitive or intransitive
To slam a basketball down through the hoop with force.
Like pushing a ball down hard through a hoop while jumping.
He can jam with either hand.
She jammed over two defenders in the final seconds.
Similardunk, slam, stuff
16
dunk (basketball)nouncountable
A powerful basketball shot where a player slams the ball down through the hoop.
Like slamming a ball straight down into a basket as hard as you can.
His huge jam brought the whole crowd to its feet.
She finished the play with a one-handed jam.
Similardunk, slam, stuff
Note
17
good fortunenounslangUKcountable or uncountable
Something nice, easy, or lucky that happens to you.
Like finding money on the ground for no reason.
He won again, pure jam if you ask me.
Getting the last train home was sheer jam.
Similarluck
Note
18
pitch insideverbtransitive
To throw a baseball pitch close to the batter's hands.
Like crowding someone so close they can't swing their arm freely.
The pitcher tried to jam the batter inside.
He likes to jam hitters with fastballs.
UsageSay the pitcher jammed the batter.
Note
19
climbing holdnouncountable
A climbing move where you wedge a hand, foot, or finger into a crack to hold on.
Like wedging your hand into a tight gap so it grips and holds you up.
She used a hand jam to climb the narrow crack.
A good foot jam can hold your whole weight.
UsageSay finger jam or fist jam.
Note
20
nounslang
Sex, or thoughts about having it.
21
noun
In roller derby, a short play where a team can score points.
22
verb
In roller derby, to try to score points for your team.
23
verbcolloquialCanada
To suddenly decide not to go on a date or do something you planned with someone.
24
nounslangCanada
Courage and the boldness to do something risky.
25
nounAustralia
An Australian tree with hard wood that smells like fruit when freshly cut.
26
verb
To steer a sailing ship so close to the wind that some of its sails are pushed flat against the masts.
It won't do to jam her,” answered Stone ;" but it might be worth findin' out if th' Hope won't lie closer than t' other can." Half a point ----"
Can we date this quote?, William Clark Russell, The Golden HopeHere, jam means steer the ship so close to the wind that sails press back.
27
noundated
A loose dress for small children.

More uses

jam on the brakesto press the brakes suddenly and hard

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of jam apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

First seen in the early 1700s as a verb meaning to press or squeeze. It may come from a Middle English word for biting, and was probably first an imitation of a sound. The music sense started with jazz in 1929.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

Jam is first attested in the early 1700s as a verb meaning to press or squeeze. en.wiktionary.org
Jam may derive from a Middle English word meaning to bite. en.wiktionary.org
The word was probably originally an imitation of a sound. en.wiktionary.org
The musical sense is first attested in connection with jazz in 1929. en.wiktionary.org