jam
UK: dʒæm | US: dʒæm
n. a sweet spread made from fruit and sugar
n. a situation where things are stuck or crowded
vt. to press or squeeze something tightly
vi. to become stuck or blocked
No data yet.
The word "jam" likely originated as an onomatopoeic term, imitating the sound or action of squeezing or crushing (e.g., fruit). Its earliest recorded use in the 18th century referred to fruit preserves, possibly influenced by the verb sense of "pressing tightly." The crowding/stuck meaning emerged later, extending the idea of compression.
She spread strawberry jam on her toast.
Traffic was stuck in a jam for hours.
He tried to jam all his clothes into one suitcase.
The printer keeps jamming because of wrinkled paper.
The door jammed shut after the earthquake.