hump

1 of 2

noun

1
: a rounded protuberance: such as
b
: a fleshy protuberance on the back of an animal (such as a camel, bison, or whale)
c(1)
(2)
: mountain, range
the Himalayan hump
2
British : a fit of depression or sulking
3
: a difficult, trying, or critical phase or obstacle
often used in the phrase over the hump
humped adjective

hump

2 of 2

verb

humped; humping; humps

transitive verb

1
usually vulgar : to copulate with
2
: to exert (oneself) vigorously
3
: to make humpbacked : hunch
4
chiefly British : to put or carry on the back : lug
also : transport

intransitive verb

1
: to exert oneself : hustle
2
: to move swiftly : race

Examples of hump in a Sentence

Noun failing her A-levels has certainly given her the hump a cloud-capped hump straddles the border separating the two countries Verb the farmers had to really hump to get the harvest in before the rains the boat was really humping before the motor started to sputter all of a sudden
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Allen is a microcosm of this franchise in recent years, so often on the cusp of elite status but just never able to get over the Lombardi Trophy hump. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2024 In a city where even speed humps can trigger dyspepsia, the prospect of reimagining the low-slung U street NW property — one everyone agrees is unsightly — is driving a fierce debate that’s devouring hours of public hearings and clogging up neighborhood email lists. Paul Schwartzman, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2024 The Panthers have struggled to get over the regional semifinal hump but have consistently stayed among a small group of elite Texas high school basketball programs. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2024 Before attacking, a moose lays its ears back and the hairs on its hump stand up, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 13 Feb. 2024 And Lurie’s not convinced Sirianni can get this talented team over the Super Bowl hump? Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 Asked why not lower the speed limit or install speed humps or bumps, Transportation Director/City Engineer Tom Frank said that every option has its pros and cons, and all were explored by staffers and neighborhood residents. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 2024 Less than a minute into Bleecker Street’s Sasquatch Sunset trailer, one bearded sasquatch dry humps another in a North American forest. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2024 The dinosaur was almost mammal-like, standing on all fours with a hump on its back, fitting Owen’s idea that dinosaurs were advanced reptiles unlike today’s lizards and crocodiles. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hump.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

akin to Middle Low German hump bump, Dutch homp lump, chunk, Frisian homp, himp

First Known Use

Noun

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1785, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hump was in 1681

Dictionary Entries Near hump

Cite this Entry

“Hump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hump. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hump

1 of 2 noun
1
: a rounded bulge or lump (as on the back of a camel)
2
: a difficult part (as of a task)
humped
ˈhəm(p)t
adjective

hump

2 of 2 verb
1
: to move or work energetically : hustle
2
: to make hump-shaped : hunch

Medical Definition

hump

noun
: a rounded protuberance
especially : humpback

More from Merriam-Webster on hump

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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