First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1pump
noun \ˈpəmp\
Definition of PUMP
1
: a device that raises, transfers, delivers, or compresses fluids or that attenuates gases especially by suction or pressure or both
2
: heart
3
: an act or the process of pumping
4
: an energy source (as light) for pumping atoms or molecules
5
: a biological mechanism by which atoms, ions, or molecules are transported across cell membranes — compare sodium pump
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Origin of PUMP
Middle English pumpe, pompe; akin to Middle Low German pumpe pump, Middle Dutch pompe
2pump
verb
: to move something (such as water, air, or gas) to or from a particular place with a pump
: to remove water, air, etc., from (something) with a pump
: to remove the contents of (someone's stomach) by using a tube and a small pump
Full Definition of PUMP
intransitive verb
1
: to work a pump : raise or move a fluid with a pump
2
: to exert oneself to pump or as if to pump something
3
: to move in a manner that resembles the action of a pump handle
transitive verb
1
a : to raise (as water) with a pump b : to draw fluid from with a pump
2
: to pour forth, deliver, or draw with or as if with a pump <pumped money into the economy> <pump new life into the classroom>
3
a : to question persistently <pumped him for the information> b : to elicit by persistent questioning
4
a : to operate by manipulating a lever b : to manipulate as if operating a pump handle <pumped my hand warmly> c : to cause to move with an action resembling that of a pump handle <a runner pumping her arms>
5
: to transport (as ions) against a concentration gradient by the expenditure of energy
6
a : to excite (as atoms or molecules) especially so as to cause emission of coherent monochromatic electromagnetic radiation (as in a laser) b : to energize (as a laser) by pumping
— pump iron
: to lift weights
See pump defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PUMP
1508
3pump
noun
Definition of PUMP
: a shoe that grips the foot chiefly at the toe and heel; especially : a close-fitting woman's dress shoe with a moderate to high heel
Origin of PUMP
origin unknown
First Known Use: 1555
PUMP Defined for Kids
1pump
noun
Definition of PUMP for Kids
: a device for raising, moving, or compressing liquids or gases
2pump
verb \ˈpəmp\
pumpedpump·ing
Definition of PUMP for Kids
1
: to raise, move, or compress by using a pump <pump water>
2
: to fill by using a pump <I pumped up my tires.>
3
: to draw, force, or drive onward in the manner of a pump <The heart pumps blood through the body.>
4
: to question again and again to find out something <She proceeded to pump me about my family and circumstances … — Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted>
5
: to move (something) up and down or in and out quickly and repeatedly <He pumped his fist in the air.>
6
: to remove (a liquid or gas) from by using a pump <We pumped the boat dry.>
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