What does jet mean?
A jet is, most commonly, a narrow stream of liquid or gas moving with force, as when water jets from a pipe. The word also denotes a jet-powered aircraft, and less commonly the dense black mineral used in jewellery and ornament. As a verb, to jet means to issue or spray a substance in a concentrated stream, often with considerable pressure. The noun and verb are especially associated with engineering, transport, and descriptions of forceful movement. Although the modern sense of a fast-moving aircraft is now the most familiar, the word's history extends back to an ancient black stone prized for its dark colour and polished surface. Recognising these related senses helps explain phrases such as jet engine, jet lag, and jet stream while keeping the gemstone meaning distinct from them.
A narrow, fast-moving stream of liquid or gas; a jet-powered aircraft; or the hard black mineral used in jewellery.
"The fountain produced a slender jet of water high into the air."
The aircraft sense is often simply called a jet, while the gemstone sense is less common outside jewellery and antiquarian contexts.
To issue or spray a substance in a narrow, forceful stream.
"The cracked hose continued to jet water across the workshop floor."
This is especially common in technical, journalistic, and descriptive contexts.
Used for multiple streams of liquid or gas, multiple jet aircraft, or multiple objects made from the gemstone.
"Several jets of water rose from the fountain."
The gemstone jet takes its name from an ancient tradition that it could repel water, but its true virtue was prized much earlier: as a polished black stone, it became one of the most fashionable materials in ancient Roman jewellery.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jet come from?
The word comes through French jaiet, a variant of Old French jaiet, denoting a black mineral and ultimately associated with Greek gagates, a stone name connected with the region of Gagas in Asia Minor. The same ultimate source also underlies the geological term gagate. In English, the word was used for the black stone before developing its later senses for a forceful stream and a jet-powered aircraft; the verb meaning to issue in a stream developed from the noun.
How jet is actually used
In general use, the noun most often denotes a stream of liquid or gas or a jet-powered aircraft. The gemstone sense is relatively uncommon and should not be confused with jet-black as a description of colour. As a verb, the word is common in technical and descriptive contexts and may sound less natural than spray or spurt in informal speech.
Easily confused with jet
A jet is an aircraft, a narrow stream, or a black gemstone, whereas a jetty is a structure projecting from the shore that provides access to the water.