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

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

Word origin

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.