jam

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a situation where a lot of people or vehicles are stuck and cannot move.

n. a state of congestion or immobilization, particularly within a transport network or mechanical system.

Español:atasco

“We were late for the wedding because of a massive traffic jam on the highway.”

“A paper jam in the industrial printer halted production for three hours while technicians disassembled the feeding mechanism.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a difficult or embarrassing situation that is hard to get out of.

n. a predicament or difficult situation requiring cleverness or luck to resolve.

“I'm in a bit of a jam because I forgot my wallet at home.”

“The diplomat found himself in a political jam when his private comments were leaked to the international press.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Music Informal

n. an informal time when musicians play together without practicing first.

n. an informal, often impromptu musical performance or rehearsal characterized by improvisation.

“The band had a great jam in the garage last night.”

“What started as a quiet acoustic jam evolved into a three-hour experimental set involving several guest artists from the local jazz scene.”

B1 · Intermediate

v. to push something into a small space with force.

v. to force or wedge something into a confined space; to cram.

Español:meter

“He tried to jam all his clothes into one small suitcase.”

“Commuters attempted to jam themselves into the crowded train carriage before the doors slid shut.”

B1 · Intermediate

v. to become stuck so that it cannot move or work properly.

v. to become wedged or stuck, rendering a mechanism or object immobile.

“The key jammed in the lock and I couldn't turn it.”

“The machine's gears jammed after a small piece of debris fell into the internal housing during the night shift.”

C1 · Advanced Science Technical

v. to stop a radio or phone signal from working by using another signal.

v. to make a radio or radar signal unintelligible by transmitting a stronger signal on the same frequency.

“The rebels tried to jam the government's radio broadcasts.”

“Sophisticated electronic warfare units were deployed to jam enemy communications during the initial phase of the operation.”

B1 · Intermediate Music Informal

v. to play music with other people in an informal way, often making it up as you go.

v. to participate in an improvised musical session, typically without a written score.

“We spent the whole afternoon jamming in the basement.”

“The guitarists spent the evening jamming over a simple blues progression, testing out new pedals and amplifiers.”