1
: a brimming cup or glass
2
: something unusually large
1
: unusually large
a bumper crop
2
1
: a device for absorbing shock or preventing damage (as in collision)
specifically
: a bar at either end of an automobile
2
: one that bumps
3
: a brief interval on radio or television filled with music, video shots, or voice-overs that marks a break between a program and a commercial
Examples of bumper in a Sentence
Adjective
We had a bumper crop of tomatoes this year.
it's been a bumper year for movies aimed at intelligent adults
Noun (2)
cars have bumpers to protect them from damage in minor collisions
Recent Examples on the Web
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Slamming through barricades and brush, the car picks up realistic damage effects, with its rear bumper and license plate dangling in tow.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
For the iPhone 17 Air, Gurman says Apple's also testing an iPhone 4-like bumper case that just covers the edges, and not the entire back.
—PC Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025
Debris from the bumper and hood of the vehicle was scattered across the area, ABC 27 reported.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bumper
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Noun
Now, tennis is built for players with straight-up speed and the ability to switch direction like pinballs bouncing off bumpers.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Slamming through barricades and brush, the car picks up realistic damage effects, with its rear bumper and license plate dangling in tow.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
For the iPhone 17 Air, Gurman says Apple's also testing an iPhone 4-like bumper case that just covers the edges, and not the entire back.
—PC Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025
Debris from the bumper and hood of the vehicle was scattered across the area, ABC 27 reported.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bumper
Cite this Entry
“Bumper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bumper. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bumper
1 of 2 adjective
bum·per
ˈbəm-pər 
: unusually large or fine
a bumper crop
bumper
2 of 2 noun
bump·er
ˈbəm-pər
: a device for absorbing shock or preventing damage (as in collision)
especially
: a bar at the front or back of a motor vehicle
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