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 (such 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
pumped; pumping; pumps
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
1
a
: to raise (something, such 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 (something, such as ions) against a concentration gradient by the expenditure of energy
6
a
: to excite (atoms or molecules) especially so as to cause emission of coherent monochromatic electromagnetic radiation (as in a laser)
b
: to energize (something, such as a laser) by pumping
: 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
Examples of pump in a Sentence
Verb
He pumped the water up from the bottom of the boat.
The machine suddenly stopped pumping.
We pumped the boat dry.
We had to pump the basement out.
Your heart pumps blood all over your body.
I could feel the blood pumping through my veins.
Blood pumped out of the cut.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
On Sunday, April 14, the 27-year-old superstar posed for promotional photos in Milan, Italy in a crisp, white halter-style minidress and matching white pumps.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
In mid-November, under pressure from the United States, Israel permitted the entry of fuel for hospitals, desalination plants and water pumps, wastewater treatment plants, bakeries, and telecommunication services.
—Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2024
The leg was found about two-thirds of the way down a 100-foot bluff, toward the shoreline and near a pump house.
—Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024
In New Orleans, water spilled into the streets as exceptional rainfall overwhelmed the city’s complex network of water pumps and other aging flood-mitigating infrastructure, the city’s Sewerage and Water Board said.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
The pointed-toe white pumps featured a bright green tennis ball at the heel.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
The singer pivoted to a casual vibe in Frankie Shop cropped trousers cinched with an Iro belt, Paris Texas pumps, Kendra Scott jewelry, and a St. Jude T-shirt.
—Glamour, 8 Apr. 2024
Here’s a pro tip: Add five pumps to running bathwater to lock in moisture and aid in restoring your skin barrier.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Growers and communities pumped almost half a million acre feet a year on average, enough to serve about 1.5 million households.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far pumped the brakes on making a decision.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
The fountain has a carbon filter and pump built into a single compact unit that sits on the fountain's floor.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 10 Apr. 2024
Content posted and monetized on YouTube pumped $35 billion into the U.S. economy and supported almost 400,000 full-time jobs, according to 2022 data from Oxford Economics.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2024
In response to the spike, a coalition of environmental groups called on agencies to slow the rate of water pumping from the delta.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024
Your heart will become stronger and more efficient at pumping blood through your body.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 6 Apr. 2024
Medical personnel determined 16-year-old Daniel Tamayo’s heart was not pumping for a long time, Cook Children’s spokesperson Laura Van Hoosier told the Star-Telegram in a statement.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
Noun
Cavitation refers to the formation and collapse of air bubbles in flowing water and is known to damage propellers, pumps and other structures.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
On Sunday, April 14, the 27-year-old superstar posed for promotional photos in Milan, Italy in a crisp, white halter-style minidress and matching white pumps.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
In mid-November, under pressure from the United States, Israel permitted the entry of fuel for hospitals, desalination plants and water pumps, wastewater treatment plants, bakeries, and telecommunication services.
—Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2024
The leg was found about two-thirds of the way down a 100-foot bluff, toward the shoreline and near a pump house.
—Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024
In New Orleans, water spilled into the streets as exceptional rainfall overwhelmed the city’s complex network of water pumps and other aging flood-mitigating infrastructure, the city’s Sewerage and Water Board said.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
The pointed-toe white pumps featured a bright green tennis ball at the heel.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
The singer pivoted to a casual vibe in Frankie Shop cropped trousers cinched with an Iro belt, Paris Texas pumps, Kendra Scott jewelry, and a St. Jude T-shirt.
—Glamour, 8 Apr. 2024
Here’s a pro tip: Add five pumps to running bathwater to lock in moisture and aid in restoring your skin barrier.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Verb
State officials could then consider whether to impose pumping restrictions or issue fines when pumping exceeds limits.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Growers and communities pumped almost half a million acre feet a year on average, enough to serve about 1.5 million households.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far pumped the brakes on making a decision.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
The fountain has a carbon filter and pump built into a single compact unit that sits on the fountain's floor.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 10 Apr. 2024
Content posted and monetized on YouTube pumped $35 billion into the U.S. economy and supported almost 400,000 full-time jobs, according to 2022 data from Oxford Economics.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2024
In response to the spike, a coalition of environmental groups called on agencies to slow the rate of water pumping from the delta.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024
Your heart will become stronger and more efficient at pumping blood through your body.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 6 Apr. 2024
Medical personnel determined 16-year-old Daniel Tamayo’s heart was not pumping for a long time, Cook Children’s spokesperson Laura Van Hoosier told the Star-Telegram in a statement.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pump.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to pump
Dictionary Entries Near pump
Cite this Entry
“Pump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pump. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pump
1 of 3 noun
: a device that raises, transfers, delivers, or compresses fluids especially by suction or pressure or both
pump
2 of 3 verb1
: to raise, transfer, or compress by means of a pump
pump up water
2
: to free (as from water or air) by the use of a pump
pump a boat dry
3
: to fill by using a pump
pump up a tire
4
: to draw, force, or drive onward in the manner of a pump
the heart pumps blood into the arteries
5
: to move up and down like a pump handle
pump the hand of a friend
6
a
: to question again and again to find out something
b
: to draw out by such questioning
pumper
noun
pump
3 of 3 noun
: a low shoe gripping the foot chiefly at the toe and heel
Medical Definition
pump
1 of 2 noun1
: a device that raises, transfers, 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 mechanism by which atoms, ions, or molecules are transported across cell membranes see proton pump, sodium pump
pump
2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to work a pump : raise or move a fluid with a pump
1
: to raise (as water) with a pump
2
: to draw fluid from with a pump
3
: to transport (as ions) against a concentration gradient by the expenditure of energy
4
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
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