1
: a brimming cup or glass
2
: something unusually large
1
: unusually large
a bumper crop
2
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
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
Stephen Edelstein, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit also claims the facility did not have adequate measures to prevent a vehicle from striking the building, such as bollards, poles, wheel guards, or bumper guards.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
What are these invisible bumpers?
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Surprisingly, the low concrete benches do not have the standard issue bumpers that are usually deployed to foil skateboarders.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bumper
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Noun
The rear bumper has a cleaner look, as does the front end, which has a simplified version of the previous split-lighting arrangement of daytime running lights above rectangular headlights nestled in coves that also house the intakes for the front-wheel air curtains.
—Stephen Edelstein, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit also claims the facility did not have adequate measures to prevent a vehicle from striking the building, such as bollards, poles, wheel guards, or bumper guards.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
What are these invisible bumpers?
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Surprisingly, the low concrete benches do not have the standard issue bumpers that are usually deployed to foil skateboarders.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bumper
Cite this Entry
“Bumper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bumper. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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