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
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
D’Amato’s show is merely one of many tribute acts working around the world, from the U.S. and the U.K. to Serbia and Slovenia, many featuring Winehouse lookalike singers sporting her trademark hairstyle, winged eyeliner, pumps, and miniskirts.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2024
While Erdem sent their model down the runway wearing ostrich feather shoes and chunky pearl earrings, Roach styled Zendaya more classically, accessorizing with her go-to white Christian Louboutin pointy-toe pumps and a pair of diamond stud earrings.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2024
His caddie, Ted Scott, went for an elevated chest pump and Scheffler just laughed at him without moving.
—Doug Ferguson, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2024
This simple bodycon style pairs perfectly with your favorite pair of pumps — perfect for a formal daytime event.
—Michelle Rostamian, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
Construction of the first phase continues to overcome hurdles like flooding at pump stations and impenetrable boulders at tunnel sites to stay on course for completion by the end of 2027.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Medela has been a top name in breast pumps for decades, and this workhorse pump is a great example why.
—Simone Scully, Parents, 16 Apr. 2024
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
Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 29 Apr. 2024
Nevertheless, one of Shanahan's first acts as a candidate appears to have been to pump $2 million into the campaign, according to its latest financial filing.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2024
Pisano received the heart pump implant first, on April 4.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
State officials then expect to increase pumping significantly this summer, once conditions allow for it under the pumping facilities’ permits.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Air will be pumped in and microbes will start doing their work.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2024
Tougher sanctions enforcement against Iranian oil shipments by the U.S. could raise oil prices but would risk higher inflation and pump prices for U.S. motorists in an election year.
—NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
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
Noun
Doctors also implanted a mechanical heart pump, making Pisano the first person to receive both a heart pump and an organ transplant, according to a statement from NYU Langone Health, where the procedure was performed.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
D’Amato’s show is merely one of many tribute acts working around the world, from the U.S. and the U.K. to Serbia and Slovenia, many featuring Winehouse lookalike singers sporting her trademark hairstyle, winged eyeliner, pumps, and miniskirts.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2024
While Erdem sent their model down the runway wearing ostrich feather shoes and chunky pearl earrings, Roach styled Zendaya more classically, accessorizing with her go-to white Christian Louboutin pointy-toe pumps and a pair of diamond stud earrings.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2024
His caddie, Ted Scott, went for an elevated chest pump and Scheffler just laughed at him without moving.
—Doug Ferguson, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2024
This simple bodycon style pairs perfectly with your favorite pair of pumps — perfect for a formal daytime event.
—Michelle Rostamian, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
Construction of the first phase continues to overcome hurdles like flooding at pump stations and impenetrable boulders at tunnel sites to stay on course for completion by the end of 2027.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Medela has been a top name in breast pumps for decades, and this workhorse pump is a great example why.
—Simone Scully, Parents, 16 Apr. 2024
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
Verb
In Miami, where LVMH has pumped money into the Design District through L Catterton, the French company’s sway is unlike any other—whether manifest in the area’s tenants or even the local artwork.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 29 Apr. 2024
Nevertheless, one of Shanahan's first acts as a candidate appears to have been to pump $2 million into the campaign, according to its latest financial filing.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2024
Pisano received the heart pump implant first, on April 4.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
State officials then expect to increase pumping significantly this summer, once conditions allow for it under the pumping facilities’ permits.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Air will be pumped in and microbes will start doing their work.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2024
Tougher sanctions enforcement against Iranian oil shipments by the U.S. could raise oil prices but would risk higher inflation and pump prices for U.S. motorists in an election year.
—NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
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
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 3 May. 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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