1. A deep "cylindrical vessel"; container made of glass, earthenware, or stone, with a wide mouth: Originally a jar was used for holding wine, water, or oil, ar often ued for burial.
2. An amount that the jar holds; a jarful: When Sally made a jar, or jarful, of jam, she filled it up to the top rim.
3. Etymology: possibly from Middle French jarre, "liquid measure" (smaller than a barrel), from Provence (French) jarra, from Arabic jarrah, "earthen water vessel" (whence also Spanish jarra, Italian giarra).