unjam

Unjam is an English verb that denotes removing a blockage and returning an object or system to normal operation. It is used to describe both physical blockages and metaphorical bottlenecks.

In mechanical devices, jams occur when material or debris halts movement or function. Common examples include paper jams in printers and copiers, jamming of conveyor belts, or blocked rotary mechanisms. Unjamming typically involves stopping operation, accessing the jammed area, removing the obstruction, realigning parts, and testing the device.

In digital and organizational contexts, unjamming refers to removing bottlenecks in workflows, queues, or data processing pipelines. Techniques include prioritization, load balancing, process redesign, or adding capacity.

In driving contexts, clearing a traffic jam is commonly described as unjamming; traffic management uses sensors and signaling to reduce jams, but unjamming may still require rerouting or adjusting traffic flow.

Etymology: The term combines the prefix un- with jam, derived from the noun jam meaning a blockage. The expression is used across technical, industrial, and everyday language to convey restoring or improving continuity after an obstruction.