jam

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

jam, n. [Per. or Hind. jāmah garment, robe.].

 A kind of frock for children.  [1913 Webster]

jam, n. 

 See Jamb.  [1913 Webster]

jam, v. t. [Either fr. jamb, as if squeezed between jambs, or more likely from the same source as champ See Champ.].

•  To press into a close or tight position; to crowd; to squeeze; to wedge in; to cram; as, rock fans jammed the theater for the concert.  [1913 Webster]

  "The ship . . . jammed in between two rocks."  [1913 Webster]
•  To crush or bruise; as, to jam a finger in the crack of a door.  [1913 Webster]
•  To bring (a vessel) so close to the wind that half her upper sails are laid aback.  W. C. Russell.  [1913 Webster]
•  To block or obstruct by packing too much (people or objects) into; as, shoppers jammed the aisles during the fire sale.  [PJC]
•  To interfere with (a radio signal) by sending other signals of the same or nearby frequency; as, the Soviets jammed Radio Free Europe broadcasts for years during the cold war.  [PJC]
•  To cause to become nonfunctional by putting something in that blocks the movement of a part or parts; as, he jammed the drawer by putting in too many loose papers; he jammed the lock by trying to pick it.  [PJC]

jam, v. i. 

•  To become stuck so as not to function; as, the copier jammed again.  [PJC]
•  To play an instrument in a jam session.  [PJC]
•  To crowd together; -- usually used with together or in; as, fifty people jammed into a conference room designed for twenty.  [PJC]

jam, n. 

•  A mass of people or objects crowded together; also, the pressure from a crowd; a crush; as, a jam in a street; a jam of logs in a river.  [1913 Webster]
•  An injury caused by jamming.  [1913 Webster]
•  A difficult situation; as, he got himself into a jam.  [PJC]

jam, n. [Prob. fr. jam, v.; but cf. also Ar. jamad ice, jelly, jāmid congealed, jamd congelation, ice.].

 A preserve of fruit boiled with sugar and water; also called jelly; as, raspberry jam; currant jam; grape jam.  [1913 Webster]

Jam nut. See Check nut, under Check. -- Jam weld (Forging), a butt weld. See under Butt.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

jam, v. & n.
--v.tr. & intr. (jammed, jamming)
1 a tr. (usu. foll. by into) squeeze or wedge into a space. b intr. become wedged.
2 a tr. cause (machinery or a component) to become wedged or immovable so that it cannot work. b intr. become jammed in this way.
3 tr. push or cram together in a compact mass.
4 intr. (foll. by in, on to) push or crowd (they jammed on to the bus).
5 tr. a block (a passage, road, etc.) by crowding or obstructing. b (foll. by in) obstruct the exit of (we were jammed in).
6 tr. (usu. foll. by on) apply (brakes etc.) forcefully or abruptly.
7 tr. make (a radio transmission) unintelligible by causing interference.
8 colloq. (in jazz etc.) extemporize with other musicians.
--n.
1 a squeeze or crush.
2 a crowded mass (traffic jam).
3 colloq. an awkward situation or predicament.
4 a stoppage (of a machine etc.) due to jamming.
5 (in full jam session) colloq. improvised playing by a group of jazz musicians.

Idiom

jam-packed colloq. full to capacity.

Derivative

jammer n.

jam, n. & v.
--n.
1 a conserve of fruit and sugar boiled to a thick consistency.
2 Brit. colloq. something easy or pleasant (money for jam).
--v.tr. (jammed, jamming)
1 spread jam on.
2 make (fruit etc.) into jam.

Idiom

jam tomorrow a pleasant thing often promised but usu. never forthcoming.

Etymology

perh. = JAM(1)

THESAURUS

jam

Great Mogul, Jell-O, Mogul, a mass of, a world of, abound with, afterthought, albumen, arch dam, army, articulate, assault, backstop, baffle, bafflement, bamboo curtain, bank, bar, barrage, barricade, barrier, batten, batten down, batter, be alive with, beam, bear, bear upon, bear-trap dam, bearings, beaver dam, bed, bevy, bewilderment, bind, blancmange, blank wall, blind alley, blind gut, block, block up, blockade, blockage, bolt, bonnyclabber, boom, boost, bother, bottleneck, box, breakwater, breastwork, brick wall, brim, bristle with, buck, buckle, buffer, bulkhead, bull, bulldoze, bulwark, bump, bump against, bunch, bung, bunt, bureaucratic delay, burst with, butt, butt against, butter, button, candy, case, catch, caulk, cecum, charge, chink, chock, choke, choke off, choke up, choking, choking off, circumstance, clabber, clasp, cleat, clip, clog, clog up, close, close off, close tight, close up, cloud, cluster, clutch, clutter, cofferdam, cohue, comfit, compact, complication, compote, compress, concentrate, condense, condition, confection, confectionery, confirm, confiture, confoundment, confusion, congest, congestion, conserve, consolidate, constipate, constipation, constrict, cork, corner, cornstarch, costiveness, cover, covey, cram, crawl with, cream, creep with, crowd, crunch, crush, cul-de-sac, curd, dam, dam up, dead end, debar, deep-dye, defense, define, delay, delayage, delayed reaction, deluge, densen, densify, detention, dig, dike, dilemma, discomposure, disconcert, disconcertedness, disconcertion, disconcertment, disturbance, ditch, dog, double take, dough, dovetail, dragging, drench, drive, drown out, earthwork, egg white, elbow, embankment, embarrassing position, embarrassment, embed, embolism, embolus, engraft, engrave, enigma, entrench, establish, estate, etch, fence, fill, fill to overflowing, fill up, fine how-do-you-do, fix, flight, flock, flocks, flood, footing, force, foul, found, freight, frosting, galaxy, gate, gaum, gel, gelatin, glair, glaze, glop, glue, glut, gluten, gluttonize, goad, goo, gook, goop, gorge, gravity dam, groin, ground, gruel, gumbo, gunk, hail, halt, hang-up, hasp, heap, hell to pay, hindrance, hinge, hitch, hive, hobble, holdup, hole, honey, hook, horde, host, hot water, how-do-you-do, hurtle, hustle, hydraulic-fill dam, icing, imbroglio, impact, impasse, impediment, implant, impress, imprint, infarct, infarction, infix, ingrain, inscribe, interim, iron curtain, jab, jam-pack, jell, jelly, jetty, jog, joggle, joint, jolt, jostle, lade, lag, lagging, large amount, latch, leaping weir, legion, levee, load, loblolly, location, lock, lodge, logjam, lot, lots, maharaja, many, marmalade, mass, masses of, meringue, mess, milldam, miter, mix, moat, mob, modality, mode, molasses, mole, morass, moratorium, mortise, mound, mousse, muchness, mucilage, mucus, multiply, multitude, mystery, nail, nest, nizam, nonplus, nudge, numbers, obstacle, obstipate, obstipation, obstruct, obstruction, occlude, outroar, outshout, overburden, overcharge, overfeed, overfill, overflow with, overlade, overload, overpower, overstuff, overweight, overwhelm, pack, pad, pang, panoply, pap, paperasserie, parapet, parlous straits, pass, paste, pause, peg, perplexity, perturbation, pickle, pile drive, pin, pinch, place, plant, plight, plug, plug up, plurality, poke, porridge, portcullis, position, posture, pother, predicament, preserve, press, pretty pass, pretty pickle, pretty predicament, print, problem, prod, pudding, pullulate with, pulp, punch, puree, push, putty, puzzle, puzzlement, quagmire, quandary, quantities, quicksand, quite a few, rabbet, rabble, radiate, raja, ram, ram down, ram in, rampart, rana, rank, rattle, red tape, red-tapeism, red-tapery, reprieve, respite, retardance, retardation, riddle, rivet, roadblock, rob, rock-fill dam, root, rout, ruck, run, run against, satiate, saturate, scores, scrape, screw, sealing off, seat, seawall, semifluid, semiliquid, send, set, set in, settle, sew, shake, shoal, shoulder, shout down, shove, shut off, shut out, shut tight, shutter dam, situation, size, skewer, slough, slow-up, slowdown, slowness, snap, soak, solidify, soup, spate, spile, spot, squab, squash, squeeze, squeeze shut, squish, stamp, stanch, standing, staple, starch, state, station, status, stay, stay of execution, stench, stereotype, stew, stick, stick fast, sticky mess, sticky wicket, stifle, stitch, stone wall, stop, stop up, stoppage, stopper, stopple, strait, straits, strangle, strangulate, strangulation, stress, strike root, stuff, stuff up, suffocate, supercharge, supersaturate, surcharge, surfeit, suspension, swamp, swarm, swarm with, sweet, sweet stuff, sweetmeat, sweets, syrup, tack, take root, tamp, teem with, throng, throng with, thrust, tidy sum, tie-up, tight spot, tight squeeze, tightrope, time lag, toggle, top off, transmit, treacle, tricky spot, tutti-frutti, unassuredness, unholy mess, upset, wad, wait, wall, wedge, weight, weir, whipped cream, wicket dam, work, worlds of, zipper

ROGET THESAURUS

jam

Junction

VB join, unite, conjoin, connect, associate, put together, lay together, clap together, hang together, lump together, hold together, piece together, tack together, fix together, bind up together together, embody, reembody, roll into one, attach, fix, affix, saddle on, fasten, bind, secure, clinch, twist, make fast, tie, pinion, string, strap, sew, lace, tat, stitch, tack, knit, button, buckle, hitch, lash, truss, bandage, braid, splice, swathe, gird, tether, moor, picket, harness, chain, fetter, lock, latch, belay, brace, hook, grapple, leash, couple, accouple, link, yoke, bracket, marry, bridge over, span, braze, pin, nail, bolt, hasp, clasp, clamp, crimp, screw, rivet, impact, solder, set, weld together, fuse together, wedge, rabbet, mortise, miter, jam, dovetail, enchase, graft, ingraft, inosculate, entwine, intwine, interlink, interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, entangle, twine round, belay, tighten, trice up, screw up, be joined, hang together, hold together, cohere.

Clothing

N clothing, investment, covering, dress, raiment, drapery, costume, attire, guise, toilet, toilette, trim, habiliment, vesture, vestment, garment, garb, palliament, apparel, wardrobe, wearing apparel, clothes, things, underclothes, array, tailoring, millinery, finery, full dress, garniture, theatrical properties, outfit, equipment, trousseau, uniform, regimentals, continentals, canonicals, livery, gear, harness, turn-out, accouterment, caparison, suit, rigging, trappings, traps, slops, togs, toggery, day wear, night wear, zoot suit, designer clothes, masquerade, dishabille, morning dress, undress, kimono, lungi, shooting-coat, mufti, rags, tatters, old clothes, mourning, weeds, duds, slippers, robe, tunic, paletot, habit, gown, coat, frock, blouse, toga, smock frock, claw coat, hammer coat, Prince Albert coat, sack coat, tuxedo coat, frock coat, dress coat, tail coat, cloak, pall, mantle, mantlet mantua, shawl, pelisse, wrapper, veil, cape, tippet, kirtle, plaid, muffler, comforter, haik, huke, chlamys, mantilla, tabard, housing, horse cloth, burnoose, burnous, roquelaure, houppelande, surcoat, overcoat, great coat, surtout, spencer, mackintosh, waterproof, raincoat, ulster, P-coat, dreadnought, wraprascal, poncho, cardinal, pelerine, barbe, chudder, jubbah, oilskins, pajamas, pilot jacket, talma jacket, vest, jerkin, waistcoat, doublet, camisole, gabardine, farthingale, kilt, jupe, crinoline, bustle, panier, skirt, apron, pinafore, bloomer, bloomers, chaqueta, songtag, tablier, pants, trousers, trowsers, breeches, pantaloons, inexpressibles, overalls, smalls, small clothes, shintiyan, shorts, jockey shorts, boxer shorts, tights, drawers, panties, unmentionables, knickers, knickerbockers, philibeg, fillibeg, pants suit, culottes, jeans, blue jeans, dungarees, denims, Levis, Calvin Klein, Calvins, Bonjour, Gloria Vanderbilt, headdress, headgear, chapeau, crush hat, opera hat, kaffiyeh, sombrero, jam, tam-o-shanter, tarboosh, topi, sola topi, pagri, puggaree, cap, hat, beaver hat, coonskin cap, castor, bonnet, tile, wideawake, billycock, wimple, nightcap, mobcap, skullcap, hood, coif, capote, calash, kerchief, snood, babushka, head, coiffure, crown, chignon, pelt, wig, front, peruke, periwig, caftan, turban, fez, shako, csako, busby, kepi, forage cap, bearskin, baseball cap, fishing hat, helmet, mask, domino, body clothes, linen, hickory shirt, shirt, sark, smock, shift, chemise, night gown, negligee, dressing gown, night shirt, bedgown, sac de nuit, underclothes, underpants, undershirt, slip, brassiere, corset, stays, corsage, corset, corselet, bodice, girdle, stomacher, petticoat, panties, under waistcoat, jock, athletic supporter, jockstrap, sweater, jersey, cardigan, turtleneck, pullover, sweater vest, neckerchief, neckcloth, tie, ruff, collar, cravat, stock, handkerchief, scarf, bib, tucker, boa, cummerbund, rumal, rabat, shoe, pump, boot, slipper, sandal, galoche, galoshes, patten, clog, sneakers, running shoes, hiking boots, high-low, Blucher boot, wellington boot, Hessian boot, jack boot, top boot, Balmoral, arctics, bootee, bootikin, brogan, chaparajos, chavar, chivarras, chivarros, gums, larrigan, rubbers, showshoe, stogy, veldtschoen, legging, buskin, greave, galligaskin, gamache, gamashes, moccasin, gambado, gaiter, spatterdash, brogue, antigropelos, stocking, hose, gaskins, trunk hose, sock, hosiery, glove, gauntlet, mitten, cuff, wristband, sleeve, swaddling cloth, baby linen, layette, ice wool, taffeta, pocket handkerchief, hanky, hankie, clothier, tailor, milliner, costumier, sempstress, snip, dressmaker, habitmaker, breechesmaker, shoemaker, Crispin, friseur, cordwainer, cobbler, hosier, hatter, draper, linen draper, haberdasher, mercer, diaper, nappy, disposable diaper, cloth diaper, Luvs Huggies, invested, habited, dighted, barbed, barded, clad, costume, shod, chausse, en grande tenue, sartorial, the soul of this man is his clothes.

Pulpiness

N pulpiness, pulp, taste, dough, curd, pap, rob, jam, pudding, poultice, grume, mush, oatmeal, baby food, pulpy, pultaceous, grumous, baccate.

Sweetness

N sweetness, dulcitude, sugar, syrup, treacle, molasses, honey, manna, confection, confectionary, sweets, grocery, conserve, preserve, confiture, jam, julep, sugar-candy, sugar-plum, licorice, marmalade, plum, lollipop, bonbon, jujube, comfit, sweetmeat, apple butter, caramel, damson, glucose, maple sirup, maple syrup, maple sugar, mithai, sorghum, taffy, nectar, hydromel, mead, meade, metheglin, honeysuckle, liqueur, sweet wine, aperitif, sugar cane, sugar beets, desert, pastry, pie, cake, candy, ice cream, tart, puff, pudding (food), dulcification, dulcoration, sweetener, corn syrup, cane sugar, refined sugar, beet sugar, dextrose, artificial sweetener, saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, Sweet'N Low, sweet, saccharine, sacchariferous, dulcet, candied, honied, luscious, lush, nectarious, melliferous, sweetened, sweet as a nut, sweet as sugar, sweet as honey, sickly sweet, eau sucr_ee, sweets to the sweet.