Date: 1500-1600 Language: Old Proven??al Origin: jarra, from Arabic jarrah 'pot for carrying water' jar1 noun jar1 [countable]1DFU a glass container with a wide top and a lid, used for storing food such as jam or honey, or the amount it contains: a jam jar half a jar of peanut butter2DFU a container made of clay, stone etc used especially in the past for keeping food or drink in3 British English i