Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
jetsam
Noun
/ˈjɛt.səm/
Definition
Goods that are thrown overboard from a ship to lighten the load in an emergency.
Examples
- After the storm, the beach was littered with jetsam washed ashore.
- The coast guard recovered various jetsam from the sinking ship.
- In the novel, the sailors had to jettison their cargo, leaving behind invaluable jetsam.
Meaning
Jetsam refers specifically to items that are discarded intentionally during maritime distress situations.
Synonyms
- wreckage
- flotsam
- debris
