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| jam [ jam ] |
verb (past and past participle jammed, present participle jam·ming, 3rd person present singular jams) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb push something in forcibly: to push something into a tight space with force
  jammed the clothes into the hamper
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2. transitive verb fill something up: to fill a place with people or things pressed closely together
The fans jammed the streets to see their heroes.
jammed the refrigerator with delicacies
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3. transitive and intransitive verb stop something working: to cause a piece of machinery or equipment to stick or stop working, or to become stuck or stop working
The photocopier jammed.
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4. transitive verb block something up: to block up something that functions as an exit, passage, or means of escape
Leaves had jammed the gutters.
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5. transitive verb interfere with broadcasting signals: to block a radio or TV signal, usually by broadcasting other signals on the same frequency
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6. transitive verb overwhelm switchboard: to overwhelm a switchboard with telephone calls
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7. transitive verb put on brakes hard: to apply the brakes of a vehicle suddenly and hard
jammed on the brakes
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8. transitive verb recording make tape impossible to copy: to put a blocking device on something, especially a prerecorded videotape, in order to prevent it from being copied
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9. transitive verb crush part of body: to injure a part of the body, especially by squeezing or mashing it
I jammed my finger in the door.
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10. intransitive verb music improvise music together: to play music, especially jazz, rock, or pop, in an improvised way, often in a group
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noun (plural jams) |
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| Definition: |
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1.
Same as traffic jam
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2. difficult situation: a difficult, awkward, or embarrassing situation
(
informal
)
I can lend you some money if you're in a jam.
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3. stoppage: an instance of something being blocked or prevented from functioning
a paper jam in the printer
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4. signal blockage: a blockage of radio or television signals
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| [Early 18th century. Origin ?] |
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| jam·mer noun |
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