jabs

Noun

jab (plural jabs)

1. A quick stab or blow; a poking or thrusting motion.
   • He tore in for the ball, make a running jab for it and held it.1952, Bernard Malamud, The Natural, Chapter 9
2. A short straight punch.
   • American Ward was too quick and too slick for his British rival, landing at will with razor sharp jabs and hooks and even bullying Froch at times.2011 December 18, Ben Dirs, “Carl Froch outclassed by dazzling Andre Ward”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 10 Apr 2022
3. (UK) A medical hypodermic injection (vaccination or inoculation).
   • Our dog was exposed to rabies, so the whole family went to a clinic to get our jabs.
4. (Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, UK, sometimes) A vaccination, whether or not delivered by means of a conventional injection.
   • A 'painless' sticking plaster flu jab that delivers vaccine into the skin has passed important safety tests in the first trial in people.2017 June 28, Michelle Roberts, “Painless flu jab patch for people scared of injections”, in BBC News, archived from the original on 03 Aug 2021
5. (US, figuratively) A mild verbal insult.

See all 10 meanings of jab