Main Entry: ²pump

Function: verb

Date: 1508

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 handletransitive 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