jettison

¹jet·ti·son

noun \ˈje-tə-sən, -zən\

Definition of JETTISON

: a voluntary sacrifice of cargo to lighten a ship's load in time of distress

Examples of JETTISON

1. <with his ship rapidly sinking, the captain ordered a last-ditch jettison of much of its cargo>

Origin of JETTISON

Middle English jetteson, from Anglo-French geteson, literally, action of throwing, from Latin jactation-, jactatio, from jactare — more at jet

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to JETTISON

Synonyms: discarding, disposition, dumping, disposal, junking, removal, riddance, scrapping, throwing away

Related Words: clearance, clearing; decimation, demolishment, demolition, destruction

Near Antonyms: accumulation, acquirement, acquisition, collection, deposit, gathering

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Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay