bumper

1 of 3

noun (1)

bum·​per ˈbəm-pər 

1

: a brimming cup or glass

2

: something unusually large

bumper

2 of 3

adjective

bum·​per ˈbəm-pər 

1

: unusually large

a bumper crop

2

: banner sense 2

bumper

3 of 3

noun (2)

bump·​er ˈbəm-pər 

1

: a device for absorbing shock or preventing damage (as in collision)

specifically : a bar at either end of an automobile

2

: one that bumps

3

: a brief interval on radio or television filled with music, video shots, or voice-overs that marks a break between a program and a commercial

Synonyms of bumper

Adjective

• excellent
• great
• terrific
• lovely
• prime
• wonderful
• awesome
• superb
• stellar
• beautiful
• fantastic
• fabulous
• fine
• classic
• top
• hot
• cracking
• marvelous
• banner
• quality
• slick
• neat

Noun (2)

• buffer
• fender
• shield
• pad
• cushion

Examples of bumper in a Sentence

Adjective

We had a bumper crop of tomatoes this year.

it's been a bumper year for movies aimed at intelligent adults

Noun (2)

cars have bumpers to protect them from damage in minor collisions

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Driving fatigue is very real, thanks to so many Mad Maxes riding bumpers or blowing through red lights or completely ignoring the speed limit. — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Ford also admitted there’s been rear wing modifications via the DRS system and an additional set of dive planes mounted on the front bumper. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026

In a flat pinball machine, a ball could stay trapped bouncing between three bumpers forever. — Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026

Carina Johansen | Bloomberg | Getty Images Investors shouldn't expect the bumper gains returned by the equity market so far this year to continue, the CEO of the world's largest sovereign wealth fund told CNBC on Wednesday. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

probably from bump to bulge

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bumper

• bumper car
• bumper crop
• bumper sticker
• bumper-to-bumper

Rhymes for bumper

• dumper
• jumper
• pumper

Kids Definition

bumper

1 of 2 adjective

bum·​per ˈbəm-pər 

: unusually large or fine

a bumper crop

bumper

2 of 2 noun

bump·​er

ˈbəm-pər

: a device for absorbing shock or preventing damage (as in collision)

especially : a bar at the front or back of a motor vehicle