First Known Use: 1660
Dictionary
1slam
noun \ˈslam\
Definition of SLAM
1
2
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Origin of SLAM
origin unknown
2slam
noun
Definition of SLAM
1
: a heavy blow or impact
2
a : a noisy violent closing b : a banging noise; especially : one made by the slam of a door
3
: a cutting or violent criticism
4
: slammer
5
: a poetry competition performed before judges
Origin of SLAM
perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian slamre to bang, Swedish slamra to rattle
First Known Use: 1672
3slam
verb
: to close (something) in a forceful way that makes a loud noise
: to set or throw (something) in a forceful way that makes a loud noise
: to hit something with a lot of force
slammedslam·ming
Full Definition of SLAM
transitive verb
1
: to strike or beat hard : knock
2
: to shut forcibly and noisily : bang
3
a : to set or slap down violently or noisily <slammed down the phone> b : to propel, thrust, or produce by or as if by striking hard <slam on the brakes> <slammed the car into a wall>
4
: to criticize harshly
intransitive verb
1
: to make a banging noise
2
: to function (as in moving) with emphatic and usually noisy vigor <the hurricane slammed into the coast> <slammed out of the room>
3
: to utter verbal abuse or harsh criticism
See slam defined for English-language learners
See slam defined for kids
First Known Use of SLAM
circa 1691
Related to SLAM
- Synonyms
- bang
SLAM Defined for Kids
1slam
verb \ˈslam\
slammedslam·ming
Definition of SLAM for Kids
1
: to shut with noisy force : bang <Don't slam the door.>
2
: to strike or beat hard <My sled slammed into a tree.>
3
: to put or place with force <He slammed down the money.>
4
: to criticize harshly
2slam
noun
Definition of SLAM for Kids
1
: a severe blow <The batter gave the ball a slam.>
2
: the noise made by a violent act of closing : bang <She closed the book with a slam.>
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