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Traffic jam: meaning, definitions and examples

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traffic jam

[ ˈtræfɪk ˌdʒæm ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

on the road

A traffic jam is a situation on a road where a long line of vehicles is unable to move forward because there is too much traffic or because the road is blocked. Traffic jams can be caused by accidents, road construction, or simply too many cars on the road.

Synonyms

congestion, gridlock, traffic congestion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
traffic jam	This word is used in everyday conversation to describe a situation where vehicles are unable to move freely on the road due to heavy traffic. It is common in both urban and suburban areas. I was late to work because there was a really bad traffic jam on the highway. We hit a traffic jam as soon as we entered the city center.
gridlock	Gridlock is typically used to describe a severe form of traffic jam where vehicles are so tightly packed that they cannot move in any direction. It often implies a complete standstill and is usually used in a negative context. The accident on the main road caused a gridlock that lasted for hours. New York City often faces gridlock during rush hour, making it impossible to get anywhere quickly.
congestion	This term is often used in a more formal or technical context to refer to the overall state of high traffic in a particular area. It can also be used in discussions related to urban planning and traffic management. Traffic congestion is a growing problem in metropolitan areas. Studies show that congestion has increased travel times by 20% in many cities.
traffic congestion	Used similarly to 'congestion,' this term is often employed in more formal discussions about traffic problems. It emphasizes the general issue of heavy traffic flows more than a specific, immediate traffic jam. Traffic congestion has been reducing the overall quality of life in the area. Measures are being taken to alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours.

Examples of usage

The traffic jam on the highway was so bad that we were stuck for hours.
I was late to work because of a massive traffic jam on the main street.
The city center is always congested with traffic jams during rush hour.

Translations

Translations of the word "traffic jam" in other languages:

🇵🇹 engarrafamento

🇮🇳 यातायात जाम

🇩🇪 Verkehrsstau

🇮🇩 kemacetan lalu lintas

🇺🇦 затори

🇵🇱 korek

🇯🇵 交通渋滞 (こうつうじゅうたい)

🇫🇷 embouteillage

🇪🇸 atasco

🇹🇷 trafik sıkışıklığı

🇰🇷 교통 체증 (gyotong chejeung)

🇸🇦 ازدحام مروري

🇨🇿 dopravní zácpa

🇸🇰 dopravná zápcha

🇨🇳 交通堵塞 (jiāotōng dǔsè)

🇸🇮 prometni zastoj

🇮🇸 umferðarteppa

🇰🇿 көлік кептелісі

🇬🇪 სატრანსპორტო საცობი (satransporto sacobi)

🇦🇿 nəqliyyat sıxlığı

🇲🇽 atasco

Etymology

The term 'traffic jam' originated in the early 20th century, with the growing popularity of automobiles leading to increased congestion on roads. As cities expanded and more people started to commute to work by car, traffic jams became a common occurrence. The phrase perfectly captures the frustration and inconvenience of being stuck in a long line of vehicles unable to move. Today, traffic jams are a ubiquitous part of urban life in many parts of the world.