logjam

noun

log·​jam ˈlȯg-ˌjam 

ˈläg-

1

: a jumble of logs jammed together in a watercourse

2

a

: deadlock, impasse

trying to break the logjam in negotiations

b

: blockage

c

: jam, crowd

logjam transitive verb

Synonyms

• backup
• bottleneck
• jam
• jam-up
• snarl
• tailback [British]
• tie-up

Examples of logjam in a Sentence

He was called in to try to break the logjam in the negotiations.

the presence of an ambulance on the side of the highway created a logjam of rubberneckers who just had to have a look

Recent Examples on the Web

West Elementary logjam has forced parents to use shoulders and bike lanes as part of the roadway during arrival and dismissal times. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025

Moses Moody can also be traded, as the frontcourt logjam has kept him in the rotational purgatory he’s experienced his entire career. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025

Chandler Rome of The Athletic has recently reported the Astros are back in the Bregman sweepstakes despite this obvious logjam in the infield. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025

In the rapidly evolving marketplace of streaming services, the pile-up of legal hangups and logistical logjams undermined Venu’s core business proposition. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1