jam Definition

jam¹
noun

1. A thick sticky food made from fruit boiled with sugar, used as a spread on bread, etc.

Thesaurus: preserve, jelly, marmalade, conserve, spread.

Idiom: jam tomorrow

colloq
Something agreeable which is constantly promised but which never arrives

Idiom: money for jam

colloq
Money easily made.

Idiom: want jam on it

colloq
To expect more than is reasonable.

Etymology: 18c.

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jam²
verb jammed, jamming

1. To stick or wedge something so as to make it immovable.
tr & intr
2. Said of machinery, etc: to stick or make it stick and stop working.
3. To push or shove something; to cram, press or pack.

Thesaurus: compress, compact, cram, crush, pack, press, sandwich, squash, squeeze.
4. To fill (eg a street) so full that movement comes to a stop.

Form: jam something up (also)
5. To cause interference to (a radio signal, etc), especially deliberately.
intr
6. colloq
To play jazz in a jam session.

Etymology: 18c: probably an imitation of the actions or its sound.