Merriam-Webster has officially added the term “jam band” to its prestigious dictionary, cementing the genre’s place in the cultural lexicon. The addition was part of a broader update that included 200 new words and definitions, all reflecting evolving aspects of modern life. From social media slang to culinary delights, the new entries offer a snapshot of how language keeps pace with society’s fast-moving trends—and for the jam scene, it’s a welcome acknowledgment of its deep-rooted influence in the world of music.
According to Merriam-Webster, the term “jam band” refers to “a band (especially a rock band) whose performances are distinguished by frequent and often lengthy jazzlike improvisation.” The dictionary entry states that the term is “sometimes hyphenated when used before another noun” and includes the following examples of uses in context:
Blues Traveler is part of the new wave of jam bands … that play long, long shows and inspire fan devotion reminiscent of the Grateful Dead.
—Dean Johnson
This Friday, the jam band Phish—which … remains uniquely regarded for its improvisational prowess and zealous, wayfaring fans—will arrive in New York City for thirteen shows …
—Amanda Petrusich
… Moon Taxi embodies the best of the jam band aesthetic: positive, bright, challenging and fun.
—Ann Powers
Gov’t Mule brought a refreshing oomph to … the jam-band scene.
—Matt Wake
While the word “jam band” has been used for decades by fans and critics alike, its official induction into the dictionary represents a formal nod to the genre’s staying power in the music industry, and to the generations of bands and fans that have (sometimes reluctantly) embraced the term.
In his statement, Gregory Barlow, President of Merriam-Webster, remarked on the dynamic nature of language itself. “The one constant of a vibrant living language is change,” Barlow said. “We continuously encounter new ways of describing the world around us, and the dictionary is a record of those changes.”
Alongside “jam band,” other music-related additions include “freestyle,” defined as “an improvised performance especially of a rap.”
The update wasn’t just about music, though. A variety of terms from arts, entertainment, science, and social media have also been inducted, including words like “true crime,” “beach read,” “cash grab,” “For You page (FYP),” and even newer slang terms like “touch grass,” “shadow ban,” and “nepo baby.” Meanwhile, additions like “street corn” (a grilled, topped variation of corn) and “burrata” (a ball-shaped mozzarella casing filled with curds and cream) highlight the incorporation of foods originating in different regions into the mainstream cultural melting pot (and diet).
Inclusion in the dictionary might not have been on any jam band fan’s wish list, but still, the stamp of approval from one of the most respected names in the English language offers validation of the genre as an undeniable force in modern culture—and that’s something worth appreciating.
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