jam

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncommon, uncountable) A sweet mixture of fruit boiled with sugar and allowed to congeal. Often spread on bread or toast or used in jam tarts
2. (countable) A difficult situation.
3. (countable) A difficult situation.
4. (countable) A blockage, congestion, or immobilization.
5. (common, countable) An informal, impromptu performance or rehearsal.
6. (broadly, countable, informal) A song; a track.
7. (broadly, countable) An informal event where people brainstorm and collaborate on projects.
8. (countable, slang) That which one particularly prefers, desires, enjoys, or cares about.
9. (countable) A forceful dunk.
10. (countable) A play during which points can be scored.
11. (countable) Any of several manoeuvres requiring wedging of an extremity into a tight space.
12. (Australia, countable, uncountable) The tree Acacia acuminata, with fruity-smelling hard timber.
13. (UK, countable, slang, uncountable) Luck hence jammy - lucky.
14. (Canada, countable, slang, uncountable) balls, bollocks, courage, machismo
15. (countable, slang, uncountable) Sexual relations or the contemplation of them.
16. (countable, slang, uncountable) Something enjoyable; a delightful situation or outcome.

Verb

1. To get something stuck, often (though not necessarily) in a confined space.
2. To brusquely force something into a space; to cram, to squeeze.
3. To render something unable to move.
4. To cause congestion or blockage. Often used with "up".
5. To block or confuse a radio or radar signal by transmitting a more-powerful signal on the same frequency.
6. To throw a pitch at or near the batter's hands.
7. To dunk.
8. To play music (especially improvisation as a group, or an informal unrehearsed session).
9. To injure a finger or toe by sudden compression of the digit's tip.
10. To attempt to score points.
11. (transitive) To bring (a vessel) so close to the wind that half her upper sails are laid aback.
12. (Canada, informal) To give up on a date or some other joint endeavour; to stand up, chicken out, jam out.
13. (colloquial) To be of high quality.

Synonyms

cram

crush

jelly

crowd

block

pack

press

preserve

throng

stuff

squeeze

preserves

marmelade

congestion

stick

ram

🐏

fix

obstruct

jamming

occlude

mob

scrape

pile

obturate

marmalade

thrust

impede

confiture

get stuck

electronic jamming

clog

stem

close up

blockade

scrimmage

chock up

squash

pickle

puree

muddle

mush

mess

conserve

block up

crowding

bruise

mire

block off

compress

huddle

Translations

confiture

Marmelade

Konfitüre

jam

marmellata

mermelada

compota

atasco

μαρμελάδα

enfoncer

reçel

marmelade

confitura

marmelade

calca

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈd͡ʒæm/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: chammen

In summary

First attested in the early 18th c. as a verb meaning “to press, be pressed, be wedged in”. Compare dialectal jammock (“to press, squeeze, crush into a soft mass, chew food"; also "a soft, pulpy substance”). Perhaps from Middle English chammen, champen ("to bite upon something, gnash the teeth"; whence modern champ, chomp), of uncertain origin; probably originally onomatopoeic.
The "performance" sense is first attested with regards to jazz in 1929, and its origin, though uncertain, is likely metaphorical, "something sweet made by the combination of many things", with influence from jamboree.

Sentences

It contains apricot jam and has a spongy caramelized texture .