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¹jump

verb \ˈjəmp\

: to move your body upward from the ground and often forward, backward, or sideways through the air by pushing with your legs

: to cause your body to drop or fall down from something by pushing with your legs

: to move forward through the air and over (something)

Full Definition of JUMP

intransitive verb

a : to spring into the air : leap; especially : to spring free from the ground or other base by the muscular action of feet and legs

b : to move suddenly or involuntarily : start

c : to move over a position occupied by an opponent's piece in a board game often thereby capturing the piece

d : to undergo a vertical or lateral displacement owing to improper alignment of the film on a projector mechanism

e : to start out or forward : begin —usually used with off <jump off to a big lead>

f : to move energetically : hustle

g : to go from one sequence of instructions in a computer program to another

: coincide, agree

a : to move haphazardly or irregularly : shift abruptly <jumped from job to job>

b : to change or abandon employment especially in violation of contract

c : to rise suddenly in rank or status

d : to undergo a sudden sharp change in value <prices jumped>

e : to make a jump in bridge

f : to make a hurried judgment <jump to conclusions>

g : to show eagerness <jumped at the chance>

h : to enter eagerly <jump on the bandwagon>

: to make a sudden physical or verbal attack <jumped on him for his criticism>

: to bustle with activity <the restaurant was jumping>

transitive verb

a : to leap over <jump a hurdle>

b : to move over (a piece) in a board game

c : to act, move, or begin before (as a signal) <jump the green light>

d : to leap aboard <jump a freight>

obsolete : risk, hazard

a : to escape from : avoid

b : to leave hastily or in violation of contract <jump town without paying their bills — Hamilton Basso>

c : to depart from (a normal course) <jump the track>

a : to make a sudden physical or verbal attack on

b : to occupy illegally <jump a mining claim>

a (1) : to cause to leap (2) : to cause (game) to break cover : start, flush

b : to elevate in rank or status

c : to raise (a bridge partner's bid) by more than one rank

d : to increase suddenly and sharply

— jump bail

: to abscond after being released from prison on bail

— jump ship

: to leave the company of a ship without authority

: to desert a cause or party especially abruptly

— jump the gun

: to start in a race before the starting signal

: to act, move, or begin something before the proper time

— jump the queue

British : to advance directly to or as if to the head of a line

— jump the shark

: to undergo a significant change for the worse that marks the point at which a period of success ends (as for a TV series)

See jump defined for English-language learners

See jump defined for kids

Origin of JUMP

probably akin to Low German gumpen to jump

First Known Use: 1530

Related to JUMP

Synonyms: bound, hop, leap, spring, vault

Antonyms: crawl, creep, poke

²jump

adverb

Definition of JUMP

obsolete

: exactly, pat

First Known Use of JUMP

1539

³jump

noun

: an act of jumping

: a sudden movement because of surprise or shock

: something to be jumped over

Full Definition of JUMP

a (1) : an act of jumping : leap (2) : any of several sports competitions featuring a leap, spring, or bound (3) : a leap in figure skating in which the skater leaves the ice with both feet and turns in the air (4) : a space cleared or covered by a leap (5) : an obstacle to be jumped over or from

b : a sudden involuntary movement : start

c : a move made in a board game by jumping

d : a transfer from one sequence of instructions in a computer program to a different sequence

obsolete : venture

a (1) : a sharp sudden increase (2) : a bid in bridge of more tricks than are necessary to overcall the preceding bid — compare shift

b : an abrupt change or transition

c (1) : a quick short journey (2) : one in a series of moves from one place to another

d : the portion of a published item (as a newspaper article or story) that comprises the continuation of an item that begins on a preceding page

: an advantage at the start <getting the jump on the competition>

: jazz music with a fast tempo

See jump defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of JUMP

circa 1552

Related to JUMP

Synonyms: bound, hop, leap, spring, vault

Antonyms: disadvantage, drawback, handicap, liability, minus, penalty, strike

Other Publishing Terms

annotate, dreadful, emend, expurgate, factoid, lobster shift, redaction, referee

JUMP Defined for Kids

¹jump

verb \ˈjəmp\

jumpedjump·ing

Definition of JUMP for Kids

: to spring into the air : leap

: to pass over or cause to pass over with or as if with a leap <Our dog tried to jump the fence.>

: to make a sudden movement <The sudden noise made me jump.>

: to make a sudden attack <“Are you trying to make hash out of little Willie with all five of you jumping on him at once?” — Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking>

: to have or cause a sudden sharp increase <Food prices have jumped.>

: to make a hasty judgment <Don't jump to conclusions.>

— jump the gun

: to start in a race before the starting signal

: to do something before the proper time