jamb

¹

or jambe

[ jam ]

noun

1. Architecture, Building Trades.
   1. either of the vertical sides of a doorway, arch, window, or other opening.
   2. either of two stones, timbers, etc., forming the sidepieces for the frame of an opening.
2. Armor. greave.

jamb

²

[ jam ]

verb (used with or without object)

, Obsolete.

1. an obsolete variant of jam ¹.

jamb

/ dʒæm /

noun

1. a vertical side member of a doorframe, window frame, or lining
2. a vertical inside face of an opening in a wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of jamb¹

1350–1400; Middle English jambe < Middle French: leg, jamb < Late Latin gamba, variant of camba pastern, leg < Greek kampḗ bend of a limb

Word History and Origins

Origin of jamb¹

C14: from Old French jambe leg, jamb, from Late Latin gamba hoof, hock, from Greek kampē joint

Example Sentences

“With stone jambs and dams, we often will play with the thickness and other dimensions, so that it adds depth and volume to the bathroom space.”

From Seattle Times

When the finished trim and door weather stripping is added on the side wall jambs, you lose about 2 1/4 inches in width.

From Seattle Times

There’s also an additional cost if you want your vehicle’s inside door jambs wrapped.

From Seattle Times

Gooch, a 37-year-old resident of Leavenworth, Kansas, about 25 miles northwest of Union Station, related his experiences in an Associated Press interview outside his apartment, his crutches leaning against the door jamb behind him.

From Seattle Times

Lacking an automated connection to a monitoring service, she connects exposed wires running along jambs to a light switch.

From Salon