# jama

/ˈdʒæmə/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jama
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a type of small, fast boat that people use for racing or moving quickly across the water. It is a short way of saying 'jumbo'.

For teachers: a small, high-speed boat or vessel, often used for racing or recreational purposes. A clipped form of 'jumbo', it is primarily used in nautical contexts.

## Examples

- The jama moved quickly across the calm lake.
- The local racing club built a new jama to compete in the regional speed trials.
- While the term is largely obsolete in modern maritime law, the jama remains a nostalgic symbol of the early twentieth-century racing scene along the coast.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.