Spam

[spam]

Trademark.

1. a canned food product consisting especially of pork formed into a solid block.

noun

1. (lowercase),  disruptive online messages, especially commercial messages posted on a computer network or sent as email (often used attributively).

   Install spam blocker software and keep your email spam filters updated to protect your accounts from unsolicited spam.

adjective

1. (lowercase),  (of promotional content on the internet) irrelevant or misdirected.

   The search engine delivered spam websites that had nothing to do with my keywords.

verb (used with object)

spammed, spamming 

1. (lowercase),  to send spam to.

2. (lowercase),  to execute (an action) or use (an item) rapidly or repeatedly in a video game.

   Spam the attack button as soon as the fight begins.

verb (used without object)

spammed, spamming 

1. (lowercase),  to send spam.

spam

¹

/ spæm /

verb

1. to send unsolicited electronic mail or text messages simultaneously to a number of e-mail addresses or mobile phones

noun

1. unsolicited electronic mail or text messages sent in this way

Spam

²

/ spæm /

noun

1. a kind of tinned luncheon meat, made largely from pork

spam

1. Unsolicited, undesired e-mail. Also used as a verb. Spam is the e-mail version of junk mail.

The name comes from a Monty Python comedy skit about a restaurant that served only Spam.

Other Word Forms

• spammer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spam¹

First recorded in 1937 for the trademarked term; sp(iced) + (h)am ¹; 1990–95 for the other senses, probably referring to a comedy routine on Monty Python's Flying Circus, British TV series, in which the word Spam is used repeatedly

Word History and Origins

Origin of spam¹

C20: from the repeated use of the word Spam in a popular sketch from the British television show Monty Python's Flying Circus, first broadcast in 1969

Example Sentences

The McDonald's worker - alleged to have turned him in - has become a target for online hate, while the fast-food franchise itself has been spammed with bad reviews.

From BBC

"We removed the Pages and Groups shared with us and disabled the accounts behind them for violating our policies on spam and inauthentic behaviour," they said.

From BBC

“Act Now — Renew your U.S. Passport!” was the subject line, prompting me to check to make sure the message wasn’t spam.

From Los Angeles Times

"This is why, even though rules around spam haven't changed on X, there is so much more floating around than there used to be."

From BBC

There were nostalgic street parties, but when younger generations hear about "spam" they'll be thinking about their email rather than the food cupboard.

From BBC