spam

1 of 3

noun

: unsolicited usually commercial messages (such as emails, text messages, or Internet postings) sent to a large number of recipients or posted in a large number of places

spam

2 of 3

verb

spammed; spamming

transitive verb

: to send or post spam to
spammed customers with discount offers
spamming a message board

intransitive verb

: to send or post spam
The company was accused of spamming via text messages.
spammer noun

Spam

3 of 3

trademark

used for a canned meat product

Examples of spam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Companies can deploy these tools to keep their employees safe from intrusion attempts, while email and messaging providers can integrate them into their systems to prevent spam, malware, and other threats from ever reaching users. Big Think, 24 Oct. 2025 The more the spam robocalls are flagged and then ignored, the more likely those behind the calls will give up, and the fewer scam victims there will be. Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
The company aims to move suspicious messages to spam folders to reduce users’ exposure to scams. Shannon Pettypiece, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025 Gallen’s plan against Eldridge was simple: spam him with changeups. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spam

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from a skit on the British television series Monty Python's Flying Circus in which chanting of the word Spam overrides the other dialogue

First Known Use

Noun

1990, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1994, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of spam was in 1990

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spam. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

spam

1 of 2 noun
: unsolicited usually commercial email sent to a large number of addresses

spam

2 of 2 verb
: to send spam to
spammer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spam

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!