jambe

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

jamb¹ /dʒæm/   n. [countable]

1. Building, Architecture either of the sides of a doorway, window, or other opening:
   a door jamb.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

jamb¹  ( jam), n. 

1. Building, Architecture [Archit., Building Trades.]
   • either of the vertical sides of a doorway, arch, window, or other opening.
   • either of two stones, timbers, etc., forming the sidepieces for the frame of an opening.
2. Heraldry [Armor.] greave.

Also, jambe. 

• Greek kampé̄ bend of a limb
• Late Latin gamba, variant of camba pastern, leg
• Middle French: leg, jamb
• Middle English jambe 1350–1400

jamb²  ( jam), v.t., v.i. [Obs.]

1. jam¹.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

jamb, jambe / dʒæm/ noun

1. a vertical side member of a doorframe, window frame, or lining

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French jambe leg, jamb, from Late Latin gamba hoof, hock, from Greek kampē joint