slam

¹

[slam]

verb (used with or without object)

slammed, slamming 

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. Slang.,  Usually the slam slammer.

4. Informal.,  a harsh criticism; verbal attack.

   I am sick of your slams.

5. Informal.

   1. Also called poetry 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.

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 Word Forms

• unslammed 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

From the outset, it was expected that Democrats would slam Kennedy’s record.

From Los Angeles Times

Time and time again, speeding cars have plowed through Plaza Park’s grassy expanses and vibrant rosebushes, demolishing wood benches and slamming into the beloved 88-year-old fountain.

From Los Angeles Times

Jackson picks up Smith and slams him down, with the back of Smith’s head slamming into the mat.

From Los Angeles Times

Chris Staples, a basketball social media star known for his out-there dunks, took Smith up for the challenge — winning the dunk competition with a leap and slam over the limousine.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Rehman slammed the cuts, and argued they send the wrong message.

From BBC

Related Words

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