Trends ofjam
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jam
(dʒæm)
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense jams, present participle jamming, past tense, past participle jammed
1. variable noun
Jam is a thick sweet food that is made by cooking fruit with a large amount of sugar, and that is usuallyspread on bread.
[mainly British] ...home-made jam.
regional note: in AM, usually use jelly2. verb
If you jam something somewhere, you push or put it there roughly.
He picked his cap up off the ground and jammed it on his head. [VERB noun preposition]
Pete jammed his hands into his pockets. [VERB noun preposition]
Synonyms: pack, force, press, stuff More Synonyms of jam
3. verb
If something such as a part of a machine jams, or if something jams it, the part becomes fixed in position and is unable to move freely or work properly.
The second time he fired his gun jammed. [VERB]
A rope jammed the boat's propeller. [VERB noun]
Cracks appeared in the wall and a door jammed shut. [VERB adjective]
The intake valve was jammed open. [be VERB-ed]
Every few minutes the motor cut out as the machinery became jammed. [VERB-ed]
[Also V n adj]4. verb
If vehicles jam a road, there are so many of them that they cannot move.
Hundreds of departing motorists jammed the roads. [VERB noun]
Jam is also a noun.
Trucks sat in a jam for ten hours waiting to cross the bridge. [+ for]
jammed adjective
Nearby roads and the dirt track to the beach were jammed with cars. [+ with]
5. verb
If a lot of people jam a place, or jam into a place, they are pressed tightly together so that they can hardly move.
Hundreds of people jammed the boardwalk to watch. [VERB noun]
They jammed into buses provided by the Red Cross and headed for safety. [VERB + into]
jammed adjective
The stadium was jammed and they had to turn away hundreds of disappointed fans.
6. verb
To jam a radio or electronic signal means to interfere with it and prevent it from being received or heard clearly.
They will try to jam the transmissions electronically. [VERB noun]
jamming uncountable noun
The plane is used for electronic jamming and radar detection.
7. verb
If callers are jamming phone lines, there are so many callers that the people answering the phones find it difficult to deal with them all.
Hundreds of callers jammed the BBC switchboard for more than an hour. [VERB noun]
The telephone exchange has been jammed all day with people wanting to buy seasontickets. [VERB-ed]
8. singular noun [in NOUN]
If someone is in a jam, they are in a very difficult situation.
[informal] They were in a real jam, Bob thought glumly.
9. verb
When jazz or rock musicians are jamming, they are informally playing music that has not been written down or planned in advance.
[informal] He was jamming with his saxophone. [VERB]
Jam is also a noun.
...a free-form jazz jam.
...a jam session.
10. See also traffic jam
More Synonyms of jam
jam in British English 1
(dʒæm)
verbWord forms: jams, jamming or jammed
1. (transitive)
to cram or wedge into or against something
to jam paper into an incinerator
2. (transitive)
to crowd or pack
cars jammed the roads
3.
to make or become stuck or locked
the switch has jammed
4. (transitive; often foll by on)
to activate suddenly (esp in the phrase jam on the brakes)
5. (transitive)
to block; congest
to jam the drain with rubbish
6. (transitive)
to crush, bruise, or squeeze; smash
7. radio
to prevent the clear reception of (radio communications or radar signals) by transmitting other signals on the same frequency
8. (intransitive) slang
to play in a jam session
noun
9.
a crowd or congestion in a confined space
a traffic jam
10.
the act of jamming or the state of being jammed
11. informal
a difficult situation; predicament
to help a friend out of a jam
12. jam session
Derived forms
jammer (ˈjammer) noun
Word origin
C18: probably of imitative origin; compare champ1jam in British English 2
(dʒæm)
noun
1.
a preserve containing fruit, which has been boiled with sugar until the mixture sets
2. slang
something desirable
you want jam on it
3. jam today
Word origin
C18: perhaps from jam1 (the act of squeezing)Jam. in British English
abbreviation for
1.
Jamaica
2. Bible
James
Jam in American English
Jamaica
jam in American English 1
(dʒæm)
verb transitiveWord forms: jammed or ˈjamming
1.
to squeeze or wedge into or through a confined space
2.
a.
to bruise or crush
b.
to force (a thumb, toe, etc.) back against its joint so as to cause impaction
3.
to push, shove, or crowd
4.
to pack full or tight
5.
to fill or block (a passageway, river, etc.) by crowding or squeezing in
6.
a.
to wedge or make stick to prevent movement
b.
to put out of order by such jamming
to jam a rifle
7.
to make (radio broadcasts, radar signals, etc.) unintelligible, as by sending out other signals on the same wavelength
8. US, Basketball; Slang
stuff (sense 20)
verb intransitive
9.
a.
to become wedged or stuck fast
b.
to become unworkable through such jamming of parts
10.
to push against one another in a confined space
11. US, Informal
to improvise freely, esp. in a jam session
noun
12.
a jamming or being jammed
13.
a group of persons or things so close together as to jam a passageway, etc.
a traffic jam
14. US, Informal
a difficult situation; predicament
15. US, Informal
jam session
16. US, Basketball; Slang
stuff (sense 11)
jam in American English 2
(dʒæm)
noun
a food made by boiling fruit with sugar to a thick mixture
see also preserve, jellyWord origin
< ? jam1More idioms containingjam
jam tomorrow
Image ofjam
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Examples of 'jam' in a sentencejam
Quotations
The rule is, jam tomorrow and jam yesterday - but never jam todayAlice Through the Looking Glass
Word lists withjam
AmericaIn other languagesjam
British English: jam /dʒæm/ NOUN
Jam is a food that you spread on bread, made by cooking fruit with a large amount of sugar.
...strawberry jam.
- American English: jelly
- Arabic: مُرَبَّى
- Brazilian Portuguese: geleia
- Chinese: 果酱
- Croatian: pekmez
- Czech: džem
- Danish: syltetøj
- Dutch: jam
- European Spanish: confitura
- Finnish: ruuhka
- French: confiture
- German: Marmelade
- Greek: μαρμελάδα
- Italian: marmellata
- Japanese: ジャム
- Korean: 잼
- Norwegian: trengsel
- Polish: dżem
- European Portuguese: geleia
- Romanian: gem
- Russian: джем
- Latin American Spanish: mermelada
- Swedish: sylt
- Thai: แยม
- Turkish: reçel
- Ukrainian: варення
- Vietnamese: mứt
All related terms of 'jam'
Chinese translation of 'jam'
jam
(dʒæm)
n
- (c/u) (Brit, = preserve)
果酱(醬)
(guǒjiàng) (瓶, píng)美 = jelly - (c) (also traffic jam)
交通堵塞
(jiāotōng dǔsè) (次, cì)
vt
- to jam sth into/on sth
将(將)某物塞进(進)/扣住某物
(jiāng mǒuwù sāijìn/kòuzhù mǒuwù) - (= fill) [road, square etc]
拥(擁)塞
(yōngsè) - (= immobilize) [mechanism, drawer etc]
使卡住
(shǐ qiǎzhù) - (= inundate) [switchboard, phone lines]
使塞满(滿)
(shǐ sāimǎn) - (Rad, = prevent from broadcasting)
干扰(擾)
(gānrǎo)
vi
- (= get stuck) [drawer, mechanism, gun]
卡住
(qiǎzhù) - to jam into a stadium/hall etc
涌(湧)进(進)体(體)育馆(館)/大厅(廳)等
(yǒngjìn tǐyùguǎn/dàtīng děng) - (inf, Mus)
即兴(興)演奏
(jíxìng yǎnzòu)to be in a jam (inf, = in difficulty)陷入困境
(xiànrù kùnjìng)to get sb out of a jam (inf)使某人摆(擺)脱(脫)困境
(shǐ mǒurén bǎituō kùnjìng)
All related terms of 'jam'
1 (noun)
Definition
a situation where a large number of people or vehicles are crowded into a place
a nine-mile traffic jam
Synonyms
tailback
queue
a long queue of angry motorists
hold-up
They arrived late due to a motorway hold-up.
bottleneck
a town-centre bottleneck
snarl-up
line
chain
congestion
Energy consumption, road congestion and pollution have increased.
obstruction
stoppage
gridlock
2 (noun)
Definition
a difficult situation
(informal) It could get the government out of a jam.
Synonyms
predicament
The decision will leave her in a predicament.
tight spot
scrape (informal)
We got into terrible scrapes.
corner
He appears to have got himself into a tight corner.
state
You shouldn't be lifting heavy things in your state.
situation
trouble
a charity that helps women in trouble with the law
spot (informal)
In a tight spot there is no one I would sooner see than Frank.
hole (slang)
He admitted that the government was in `a dreadful hole'.
fix (informal)
The government has got itself in a fix.
bind
It is expensive to buy and a bind to carry home.
emergency
He has the ability to deal with emergencies quickly.
mess
I've got myself into a bit of a mess.
dilemma
The issue raises a moral dilemma.
pinch
I'd trust her in a pinch.
plight
the plight of Third World countries plagued by debts
strait
hot water
pickle (informal)
Connie had got herself into a real pickle this time.
deep water
quandary
The anonymous letter creates a quandary for the judge.
3 (noun)
Definition
a situation where a large number of people or vehicles are crowded into a place
Synonyms
crowd
It took some two hours before the crowd was fully dispersed.
press
There was still a press of people around the Victoria Memorial.
pack
a pack of journalists who wanted to interview him
mass
A mass of excited people clogged the street.
crush
They got separated from each other in the crush.
mob
a growing mob of demonstrators
swarm
A swarm of people encircled the hotel.
horde
A horde of people was screaming for tickets.
multitude
the multitudes that surround the Pope
throng
An official pushed through the throng.
1 (verb)
Definition
to wedge (an object) into a tight space or against another object
He jammed his hands into his pockets.
Synonyms
pack
All her possessions were packed into the back of her car.
Thousands of people packed into the arena.
force
press
He pressed his back against the door.
stuff
His trousers were stuffed inside the tops of his boots.
squeeze
Somehow they managed to squeeze into the tight space.
compact
The soil settles and is compacted by the winter rain.
ram
He rammed the key into the lock and kicked the front door open.
wedge
He wedged himself between the door and the radiator.
cram
She pulled off her school hat and crammed it into a wastebasket.
compress
Poor posture can compress the body's organs.
2 (verb)
Definition
to fill (a place) with people or vehicles
In summer, the beach is jammed with day-trippers.
Synonyms
crowd
A throng of fashionable young people crowded around the stage.
cram
We crammed into my car and set off.
throng
the multitudes that throng around the Pope
crush
press
As the music stopped, the crowd pressed forward.
mass
Shortly after the announcement, police began to mass at the shipyard.
surge
The crowd surged out from the church.
flock
The crowds flocked around her.
swarm
People swarmed to the shops, buying up everything in sight.
congregate
People were already beginning to congregate outside the cinema.
3 (verb)
Definition
to fill (a place) with people or vehicles
The phone lines are jammed. Everybody wants to talk about it.
Synonyms
congest
block
When the shrimp farm is built it will block the stream.
clog
The traffic clogged the Thames bridges.
stick
The dagger stuck tightly in the silver scabbard.
halt
Striking workers halted production at the auto plant yesterday.
stall
an attempt to stall the negotiations
obstruct
Drivers who park illegally obstruct the flow of traffic.
Quotation
(noun)
Definition
a food made from fruit boiled with sugar until the mixture sets, used for spreading on bread
The small fruits are excellent for jam or dessert.
Synonyms
preserve
jars of pear and blackberry preserves
jelly (US, Canadian)
conserveAdditional synonyms
in the sense of bind
Definition
a difficult or annoying situation
It is expensive to buy and a bind to carry home.
Synonyms
nuisance,
inconvenience,
hassle (informal),
drag (informal),
spot (informal),
difficulty,
bore,
dilemma,
pest,
hot water (informal),
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
annoyance,
quandary,
pain in the neck (informal),
pain in the arse (taboo, slang),
pain in the backside (informal),
pain in the butt (informal)
in the sense of block
Definition
to obstruct or impede by introducing an obstacle
When the shrimp farm is built it will block the stream.
Synonyms
obstruct,
close,
stop,
cut off,
plug,
choke,
clog,
shut off,
stop up,
bung up (informal)
in the sense of bottleneck
Definition
something that holds up progress
a town-centre bottleneck
Synonyms
block,
hold-up,
obstacle,
congestion,
obstruction,
impediment,
blockage,
snarl-up (informal, British),
(traffic) jam
Synonyms of 'jam'
jam
Explore 'jam' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of clog
Definition
to obstruct or become obstructed with thick or sticky matter
The traffic clogged the Thames bridges.
Synonyms
obstruct,
block,
jam,
hamper,
hinder,
impede,
bung,
stop up,
dam up,
occlude (formal),
congest
in the sense of compact
The soil settles and is compacted by the winter rain.
Synonyms
pack closely,
stuff,
cram,
compress,
condense,
tamp
in the sense of compress
Definition
to squeeze together
Poor posture can compress the body's organs.
Synonyms
squeeze,
crush,
squash,
constrict,
press,
crowd,
wedge,
cramin the sense of congestion
Energy consumption, road congestion and pollution have increased.
Synonyms
overcrowding,
crowding,
mass,
jam,
clogging,
bottleneck,
snarl-up (informal, British)
in the sense of congregate
Definition
to collect together in or as a crowd
People were already beginning to congregate outside the cinema.
Synonyms
come together,
meet,
mass,
collect,
gather,
concentrate,
rally,
assemble,
flock,
muster,
convene,
converge,
throng,
rendezvous,
foregather,
convoke (formal)
in the sense of corner
He appears to have got himself into a tight corner.
Synonyms
tight spot,
predicament,
tricky situation,
spot (informal),
hole (informal),
hot water (informal),
pickle (informal)
in the sense of cram
Definition
to force (more people or things) into (a place) than it can hold
She pulled off her school hat and crammed it into a wastebasket.
Synonyms
stuff,
force,
jam,
ram,
shove,
compress,
compactin the sense of cram
Definition
to force (more people or things) into (a place) than it can hold
We crammed into my car and set off.
Synonyms
squeeze,
press,
crowd,
pack,
crush,
pack in,
fill to overflowing,
overfill,
overcrowd
in the sense of crush
Definition
a dense crowd
They got separated from each other in the crush.
Synonyms
crowd,
mob,
horde,
throng,
press,
pack,
mass,
jam,
herd,
huddle,
swarm,
multitude,
rabblein the sense of dilemma
Definition
a situation offering a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives
The issue raises a moral dilemma.
Synonyms
predicament,
problem,
difficulty,
spot (informal),
fix (informal),
mess,
puzzle,
jam (informal),
embarrassment,
plight,
strait,
pickle (informal),
how-do-you-do (informal),
quandary,
perplexity,
tight corner or spot
Additional synonyms
in the sense of emergency
Definition
an unforeseen or sudden occurrence, esp. of danger demanding immediate action
He has the ability to deal with emergencies quickly.
Synonyms
crisis,
danger,
difficulty,
accident,
disaster,
necessity,
pinch,
plight,
scrape (informal),
strait,
catastrophe,
predicament,
calamity,
extremity,
quandary,
exigency,
critical situation,
urgent situation,
MergNC
in the sense of fix
Definition
a difficult situation
The government has got itself in a fix.
Synonyms
mess,
spot (informal),
corner,
hole (slang),
difficulty,
jam (informal),
dilemma,
embarrassment,
plight,
hot water (informal),
pickle (informal),
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
difficult situation,
quandary,
tight spot,
ticklish situation
in the sense of flock
Definition
to gather together or move in large numbers
The crowds flocked around her.
Synonyms
gather,
group,
crowd,
mass,
collect,
assemble,
herd,
huddle,
converge,
throng,
congregate,
troopin the sense of halt
Definition
to come to a stop or bring (someone or something) to a stop
Striking workers halted production at the auto plant yesterday.
Synonyms
hold back,
end,
check,
block,
arrest,
stem,
curb,
terminate,
obstruct,
staunch,
cut short,
impede,
bring to an end,
stem the flow,
nip in the bud
in the sense of hold-up
Definition
a delay
They arrived late due to a motorway hold-up.
Synonyms
delay,
wait,
hitch,
trouble,
difficulty,
setback,
snag,
traffic jam,
obstruction,
stoppage,
bottleneckin the sense of hole
He admitted that the government was in `a dreadful hole'.
Synonyms
predicament,
spot (informal),
fix (informal),
mess,
jam (informal),
dilemma,
scrape (informal),
tangle,
hot water (informal),
quandary,
tight spot,
imbroglioin the sense of horde
Definition
a very large crowd, often frightening or unpleasant
A horde of people was screaming for tickets.
Synonyms
crowd,
mob,
swarm,
press,
host,
band,
troop,
pack,
crew (informal),
drove,
gang,
multitude,
throngin the sense of mass
Definition
a large amount or number, as of people
A mass of excited people clogged the street.
Synonyms
crowd,
group,
body,
pack,
lot,
army,
host,
band,
troop,
drove,
crush,
bunch (informal),
mob,
flock,
herd,
number,
horde,
multitude,
throng,
rabble,
assemblagein the sense of mass
Definition
to join together into a mass
Shortly after the announcement, police began to mass at the shipyard.
Synonyms
gather,
assemble,
accumulate,
collect,
rally,
mob,
muster,
swarm,
amass,
throng,
congregate,
foregather
in the sense of mess
Definition
a confused and difficult situation
I've got myself into a bit of a mess.
Synonyms
difficulty,
dilemma,
plight,
spot (informal),
hole (informal),
fix (informal),
jam (informal),
hot water (informal),
stew (informal),
mix-up,
muddle,
pickle (informal),
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
deep water,
perplexity,
tight spot,
imbroglio,
fine kettle of fish (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of mob
Definition
a riotous or disorderly crowd of people
a growing mob of demonstrators
Synonyms
crowd,
pack,
collection,
mass,
body,
press,
host,
gathering,
drove,
gang,
flock,
herd,
swarm,
horde,
multitude,
throng,
assemblagein the sense of multitude
Definition
a large number of people or things
the multitudes that surround the Pope
Synonyms
crowd,
host,
mass,
mob,
congregation,
swarm,
sea,
horde,
throng,
great number
in the sense of obstruct
Definition
to make progress or activity difficult
Drivers who park illegally obstruct the flow of traffic.
Synonyms
hold up,
stop,
check,
bar,
block,
prevent,
arrest,
restrict,
interrupt,
slow down,
hamstring,
interfere with,
hamper,
inhibit,
clog,
hinder,
retard,
impede,
get in the way of,
bring to a standstill,
cumber
in the sense of pickle
Definition
an awkward or difficult situation
Connie had got herself into a real pickle this time.
Synonyms
predicament,
spot (informal),
fix (informal),
difficulty,
bind (informal),
jam (informal),
dilemma,
scrape (informal),
hot water (informal),
uphill (South Africa),
quandary,
tight spot
in the sense of pinch
Definition
extreme stress or need
I'd trust her in a pinch.
Synonyms
emergency,
crisis,
difficulty,
plight,
scrape (informal),
strait,
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
extremity,
necessity,
hardship,
oppression,
exigencyin the sense of plight
Definition
a dangerous or difficult situation
the plight of Third World countries plagued by debts
Synonyms
difficulty,
condition,
state,
situation,
trouble,
circumstances,
dilemma,
straits,
predicament,
extremity,
perplexityin the sense of press
Definition
a crowd
There was still a press of people around the Victoria Memorial.
Synonyms
crowd,
host,
pack,
crush,
bunch (informal),
mob,
flock,
herd,
push (informal),
swarm,
horde,
multitude,
throngin the sense of press
Definition
to crowd
He pressed his back against the door.
Synonyms
push,
squeeze,
jam,
thrust,
ram,
wedge,
shovein the sense of press
Definition
to crowd
As the music stopped, the crowd pressed forward.
Synonyms
crowd,
push,
gather,
rush,
surge,
mill,
hurry,
cluster,
flock,
herd,
swarm,
hasten,
seethe,
throngin the sense of quandary
Definition
a situation in which it is difficult to decide what to do
The anonymous letter creates a quandary for the judge.
Synonyms
difficulty,
dilemma,
predicament,
puzzle,
uncertainty,
embarrassment,
plight,
strait,
impasse,
bewilderment,
perplexity,
delicate situation,
cleft stick
Additional synonyms
in the sense of queue
Definition
a line of people or vehicles waiting for something
a long queue of angry motorists
Synonyms
tailback,
line,
traffic jam,
streamin the sense of ram
Definition
to stuff or cram
He rammed the key into the lock and kicked the front door open.
Synonyms
cram,
pound,
force,
stuff,
pack,
hammer (informal),
jam,
thrust,
tamp
in the sense of scrape
Definition
an awkward or embarrassing situation
We got into terrible scrapes.
Synonyms
predicament,
trouble,
difficulty,
spot (informal),
fix (informal),
mess,
distress,
dilemma,
plight,
tight spot,
awkward situation,
pretty pickle (informal)
in the sense of spot
Definition
an awkward situation
In a tight spot there is no one I would sooner see than Frank.
Synonyms
predicament,
trouble,
difficulty,
mess,
plight,
hot water (informal),
quandary,
tight spot
in the sense of squeeze
Definition
to push (oneself or a thing) into a confined space
Somehow they managed to squeeze into the tight space.
Synonyms
cram,
press,
crowd,
force,
stuff,
pack,
jam,
thrust,
ram,
wedge,
jostlein the sense of stall
an attempt to stall the negotiations
Synonyms
hinder,
obstruct,
impede,
block,
check,
arrest,
halt,
slow down,
hamper,
thwart,
sabotagein the sense of state
Definition
the condition or circumstances of a person or thing
You shouldn't be lifting heavy things in your state.
Synonyms
circumstances,
situation,
position,
case,
pass,
mode,
plight,
predicamentin the sense of stick
Definition
to come or be brought to a standstill
The dagger stuck tightly in the silver scabbard.
Synonyms
catch,
lodge,
jam,
stop,
clog,
snag,
be embedded,
be bogged down,
come to a standstill,
become immobilized
in the sense of stuff
Definition
to force, shove, or squeeze (something somewhere)
His trousers were stuffed inside the tops of his boots.
Synonyms
shove,
force,
push,
squeeze,
jam,
ram,
wedge,
compress,
stowin the sense of surge
Definition
to move forward strongly and suddenly
The crowd surged out from the church.
Synonyms
rush,
pour,
stream,
rise,
crowd,
swell,
spill,
swarm,
seethe,
gush,
well forth
Additional synonyms
in the sense of swarm
Definition
a moving mass of people
A swarm of people encircled the hotel.
Synonyms
multitude,
crowd,
mass,
army,
host,
drove,
flock,
herd,
horde,
myriad,
throng,
shoal,
concourse,
bevyin the sense of swarm
Definition
to move quickly and in large numbers
People swarmed to the shops, buying up everything in sight.
Synonyms
crowd,
flock,
throng,
mass,
stream,
congregatein the sense of throng
Definition
a great number of people or things crowded together
An official pushed through the throng.
Synonyms
crowd,
mob,
horde,
press,
host,
pack,
mass,
crush,
jam,
congregation,
swarm,
multitude,
concourse,
assemblagein the sense of throng
Definition
to gather in or fill (a place) in large numbers
the multitudes that throng around the Pope
Synonyms
crowd,
flock,
congregate,
troop,
bunch,
herd,
cram,
converge,
hem in,
mill around,
swarm around
in the sense of trouble
a charity that helps women in trouble with the law
Synonyms
difficulty,
hot water (informal),
predicament,
deep water (informal),
spot (informal),
danger,
mess,
dilemma,
scrape (informal),
pickle (informal),
dire straits,
tight spot
in the sense of wedge
Definition
to squeeze into a narrow space
He wedged himself between the door and the radiator.
Synonyms
squeeze,
force,
lodge,
jam,
crowd,
block,
stuff,
pack,
thrust,
ram,
cram,
stow- supergene
- supergiant
- super giant slalom
- superglacial
- superglue
- supergood
- supergovernment
- supergraphics
- supergrass
- supergravity
- supergroup
- supergrowth
- supergun
- superharden
- superheat
- superheated
- superheater
- superheating
- superheavy
- superheavyweight
- superhelical
- superhelices
- superhelix
- undeck
- undeclared