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Glite Dictionary
jamb

jamb

5 7.7
A vertical piece at the side of a door or window frame
  • noun
  • /dʒæm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : jamba
  • The carpenter measured the length of the jamb before installing the new door frame.
  • door jamb

A man in long shorts building a door jamb, but no walls around the door open.

Examples

  • They keep the key over the door jamb.

    Inferno (1999)

  • Bracing his feet against the jamb, he pulled with all his strength.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Ross pushed the door open and immediately reached for the jamb to support himself.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • A man in long shorts building a door jamb, but no walls around the door open.

    Harvard University

  • Her elbow knocked against a lamp, then against the door jamb as she went through.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • I don't think anyone saw me bump into the door jamb as I walked in.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • From the scarred surfaces of door and jamb, it appeared that this was her usual method of operation.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Helen stood behind him as he marked screw holes on the jamb with a black wax pencil.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • I leaned against the door jamb and lowered my head until the ringing stopped and my vision cleared.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • She leans against the door jamb, her expression dismal.

Synonyms

doorjamb
vsjamb
6 6.8

The vertical part of a door frame that holds the hinges and lock

is the vertical side member used for both doors and windows
doorpost
vsjamb
1 2.7

An upright post at the side of a door that helps hold it

is the general vertical side member applying to doors and windows

Surface Forms

jamb singular
jambs plural

Etymology

Jamb comes from an old French word jambe meaning 'leg'. A helpful image is to think of the jamb as the door or window's 'leg' — the upright side that holds the frame.