- 1[transitive] jam something + adv./prep. to push something somewhere with a lot of force He jammed his fingers in his ears. A stool had been jammed against the door.
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stop moving/working - 2[intransitive, transitive] to become unable to move or work; to make something do this jam (up) The photocopier keeps jamming up. jam something (up) There's a loose part that keeps jamming the mechanism. + adj. The valve has jammed shut. jam something + adj. He jammed the door open with a piece of wood.
- 3[transitive, intransitive] to put someone or something into a small space where there is very little room to move synonym squash, squeeze jam somebody/something + adv./prep. Six of us were jammed into one small car. We were jammed together like sardines in a can. The cabinets were jammed full of old newspapers. + adv./prep. Nearly 1,000 students jammed into the hall. see jam-packed fill with people/things
- 4[transitive] jam something (up) (with somebody/something) to fill something with a large number of people or things so that it is unable to function as it should synonym block Viewers jammed the switchboard with complaints. radio broadcast
- 5[transitive] jam something (technology) to send out radio signals to prevent another radio broadcast from being heard play music
- 6[intransitive, transitive] jam (something) to play music with other musicians in an informal way without preparing or practicing first Idioms
jam
verbNAmE//dʒæm//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they jam he / she / it jams
past simple jammed
-ing form jamming
to operate the brake or brakes on a vehicle suddenly and with force The car skidded as he jammed on the brakes.
Check pronunciation: jam