jams

Noun

jam (countable and uncountable, plural jams)

1. (uncommon) A sweet mixture of fruit boiled with sugar and allowed to congeal. Often spread on bread or toast or used in jam tarts
   • He is allergic to jam.

   Synonyms:

   conserve, jelly, preserve

2. (countable) A difficult situation.
   • It's a blackmail ring, and the district attorneys get a share of the loot. […] Well, they got him in the same kind of jam, and soaked him to the tune of three hundred and eighty-six thousand.1928, Upton Sinclair, Boston

   Synonyms:

   ass in a sling, bind, bucket of syrup, calvary, cauldron, cross, cross to bear, difficulty, dilemma, dire straits

   1. (countable) A difficult situation for a pitcher or defending team.
      • The pitcher's in a jam now, having walked the bases loaded with the cleanup hitter coming to bat.
3. (countable) A blockage, congestion, or immobilization.
   • a jam on the 101 South, blocking the two right lanes [radio report]

   Synonyms:

   jam-up

4. (common, countable) An informal, impromptu performance or rehearsal.
5. (broadly, countable, informal) A song; a track.
   • pump up the jam

See all 33 meanings of jam