v., jammed, jam·ming, jams. v.tr.
- To drive or wedge forcibly into a tight position: jammed the cork in the bottle.
- To activate or apply (a brake) suddenly. Often used with on: jammed the brakes on.
- To cause (moving parts, for example) to lock into an unworkable position: jammed the typewriter keys.
- To pack (items, for example) to excess; cram: jammed my clothes into the suitcase.
- To fill (a container or space) to overflowing: I jammed the suitcase with clothes. Fans jammed the hallway after the concert.
- To block, congest, or clog: a drain that was jammed by debris.
- To crush or bruise: jam a finger.
- Electronics. To interfere with or prevent the clear reception of (broadcast signals) by electronic means.
- Baseball. To throw an inside pitch to (a batter), especially to prevent the batter from hitting the ball with the thicker part of the bat.
- To become wedged or stuck.
- To become inoperable: The computer keyboard jammed.
- To force one's way into or through a limited space.
- Music. To participate in a jam session.
- Basketball. To make a dunk shot.
- The act of jamming or the condition of being jammed.
- A crush or congestion of people or things in a limited space: a traffic jam.
- A trying situation. See synonyms at predicament.
[Origin unknown.]
jammable jam'ma·ble adj.jammer jam'mer n.
jam2 (jăm)
n.
A preserve made from whole fruit boiled to a pulp with sugar.
[Possibly from JAM1.]
jammy jam'my adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.