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
Austen Erblat, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
Bumper-to-bumper extended car warranty Bumper-to-bumper coverage is a comprehensive extended car warranty that covers nearly all your car’s core systems and components.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025
The sturdy bumper and water-resistant handle help reduce playground chaos.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
The network’s commercial bumpers — white text on a black background — would sometimes talk about what was happening behind the scenes, shouting out Titmouse by name, too.
—James Grebey, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bumper
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Noun
Police say there will be slight to moderate damage to the front bumper.
—Austen Erblat, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
Bumper-to-bumper extended car warranty Bumper-to-bumper coverage is a comprehensive extended car warranty that covers nearly all your car’s core systems and components.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025
The sturdy bumper and water-resistant handle help reduce playground chaos.
—PC Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025
The network’s commercial bumpers — white text on a black background — would sometimes talk about what was happening behind the scenes, shouting out Titmouse by name, too.
—James Grebey, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bumper
Cite this Entry
“Bumper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bumper. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.
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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