Definition

A vertical piece of wood or metal that forms the side of a doorway and supports the door.

Example

The carpenter installed the new doorjamb to ensure the door would fit properly.

Conversation

I accidentally bumped into the doorjamb when I was carrying those boxes.

Ouch! That sounds painful!

Yeah, I really need to be more careful around the doorjamb next time.

Definitely! It's easy to forget they're there when you're in a hurry.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Doorjamb → The word is formed from "door" (from Old English *dor*, meaning an entrance or opening) and "jamb" (from Old French *jambe*, meaning leg or support). A doorjamb refers to the vertical part of a door frame that supports the door.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'door' as an entrance and 'jamb' as a support or leg that holds it up. This helps you remember that a doorjamb is the part that supports the door.

Visually Confused Words