log jam: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral to formal; common in journalism, business, politics, and technical reports.
Quick answer
What does “log jam” mean?
A situation where logs floating down a river become tightly packed and stuck, preventing movement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A situation where logs floating down a river become tightly packed and stuck, preventing movement.
A situation where progress is completely blocked or halted by a complex, tangled problem, often involving many conflicting interests or procedural issues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The spelling is typically two words ('log jam'), though 'logjam' (one word) is an accepted variant, particularly in American English.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Both metaphorical and literal uses are equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “log jam” in a Sentence
cause + log jambreak + log jamlog jam + in + negotiationslog jam + over + issuea + ADJ + log jamVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “log jam” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new bill aims to log-jam the opposition's legislative agenda.
- The negotiations have become completely log-jammed.
American English
- The filibuster was used to logjam the voting process.
- The system is logjammed with outdated protocols.
adjective
British English
- The talks reached a log-jam situation by Friday afternoon.
American English
- We're dealing with a logjam issue in the supply chain.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe stalled negotiations, blocked projects, or supply chain disruptions.
Academic
Used in political science, economics, and public policy to describe legislative or institutional paralysis.
Everyday
Used for any situation where things are stuck, e.g., 'There's a log jam in the printer queue.'
Technical
In forestry/ecology, describes the literal physical accumulation of wood in a river channel.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “log jam”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “log jam”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “log jam”
- Using it for a simple, temporary delay (use 'delay' or 'hold-up'). Misspelling as 'logjam' (acceptable but less common in UK) or 'log-jam' (hyphenated form is dated).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Log jam' (two words) is very common, especially in British English. 'Logjam' (one word) is a standard variant, particularly in American English.
A bottleneck slows progress but doesn't always stop it completely. A log jam implies a complete stoppage, a more severe and tangled blockage.
Yes, though less common. It means 'to cause a blockage or stalemate in' (e.g., 'The amendment logjammed the entire legislative process').
Yes, in forestry, ecology, and hydrology contexts. However, the metaphorical use is far more frequent in general language.
A situation where logs floating down a river become tightly packed and stuck, preventing movement.
Log jam is usually neutral to formal; common in journalism, business, politics, and technical reports. in register.
Log jam: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒɡ dʒæm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɔːɡ dʒæm/ or /ˈlɑːɡ dʒæm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Break the log jam”
- “Clear the log jam”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine logs jammed in a river, unable to move. Now imagine your work or plans as those logs – completely stuck. The image of tangled wood perfectly captures a complex, immovable problem.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION (OF A RIVER). IMPEDIMENTS TO PROGRESS ARE PHYSICAL BLOCKAGES.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'log jam' be LEAST appropriate?