19 Across

NYT Daily ? September 11, 2025

Jam

Answer:

BIND

Hint:

Think of what happens when a contract is made legally enforceable or when pages are held together in a book.

Explanation:

"Jam" here isn’t about fruit spread—it’s a play on the word’s other meaning, like a traffic jam or something stuck. The answer "BIND" fits because to "jam" can also mean to block or trap, which is what binding does. Think of a door jamming shut or a machine getting jammed, both cases where things are tightly bound.

More Clues from This Puzzle

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Simpson née Bouvier

43 Across

6 letters

Pair of words that are usually contracted

1 Down

4 letters

Semiaquatic amphibian

55 Down

4 letters

Medieval entertainer

General solving tip

Words like 'said,' 'reportedly,' or 'sounds like' point to homophones—an answer that sounds like another word or phrase. Read the clue aloud in your head.

More tips → General Hints