slam

¹

[ slam ]

verb (used with or without object)

, slammed, slam·ming.

1. to shut with force and noise:

   to slam the door.

2. to dash, strike, knock, thrust, throw, slap down, etc., with violent and noisy impact:

   He slammed his books upon the table.

3. Informal. to criticize harshly; attack verbally:

   He slammed my taste mercilessly.

noun

1. a violent and noisy closing, dashing, or impact.
2. the noise so made.
3. Usually the slam. Slang. slammer ( def 2 ).
4. Informal. a harsh criticism; verbal attack:

   I am sick of your slams.

5. Informal.
   1. Also called poetry slam. a competitive, usually boisterous poetry reading.
   2. a usually competitive performance involving multiple performers with short acts: a tap dance slam.

      puppet slams;

      a tap dance slam.

slam

²

[ slam ]

noun

, Cards.

1. the winning or bidding of all the tricks or all the tricks but one in a deal. Compare grand slam ( def 1 ), little slam.
2. an old type of card game associated with ruff.

slam

¹

/ slæm /

verb

1. to cause (a door or window) to close noisily and with force or (of a door, etc) to close in this way
2. tr to throw (something) down noisily and violently
3. slang.
   tr to criticize harshly
4. informal.
   intr; usually foll by into or out of to go (into or out of a room, etc) in violent haste or anger
5. tr to strike with violent force
6. informal.
   tr to defeat easily

noun

1. the act or noise of slamming
2. slang.
   harsh criticism or abuse

slam

²

/ slæm /

noun

1. 1. the winning of all (grand slam) or all but one (little slam or small slam) of the 13 tricks at bridge or whist
   2. the bid to do so in bridge See grand slam little slam
2. an old card game

slam

³

/ slæm /

noun

1. a poetry contest in which entrants compete with each other by reciting their work and are awarded points by the audience

Other Words From

• un·slammed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slam¹

First recorded in 1650–60; perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish slamra “to bang (a door), slam”

Origin of slam²

First recorded in 1660–70; perhaps special use of slam ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of slam¹

C17: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse slamra, Norwegian slemma, Swedish dialect slämma

Origin of slam²

C17: of uncertain origin

Origin of slam³

C20: origin unknown

Example Sentences

The Federal Trade Commission released a report Thursday slamming social media platforms including Facebook’s parent company, Meta, as well as TikTok, Google-owned YouTube, Snap and other online services over privacy and youth safety concerns.

From Los Angeles Times

The "Harry Potter" series author slammed John Oliver for his comments on "Last Week Tonight," in which he addressed misinformation spread around trans athletes in high school during the 2024 election cycle.

From Salon

Earlier this month, he slammed NBC over Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance on Saturday Night Live, claiming it broke an FCC rule that required political candidates to be provided equal air time.

From Salon

The series, which was unveiled this week, is modeled after tennis’ four grand slam events and will open in Kingston, Jamaica, in early April.

From Los Angeles Times

“A black car came speeding really, really fast ... screeching and then lost control, swerved over and slammed into a bunch of people,” one witness told KTLA.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bang
• bat
• batter
• beat
• belt
• blast
• crash
• dash
• fling
• hit
• hurl
• knock
• slap
• smash
• strike
• swat