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
Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2025
The 20-inch London carry-on has a scratch- and dent-resistant textured ABS shell and clever bumper patches on the corners.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025
Then there’s the S line Black Optic Sport Package with those distinctive S line front and rear bumpers, black Audi rings and badging, along with mirror caps, window surrounds, and door handles finished in stealthy black.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025
Be sure to do so once the middle of your car lines up with the front car's rear bumper.
—Olivia Munson, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bumper
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Andrew Barclay said of the annual Thanksgiving rush that puts car bumpers within inches of each other.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2025
The 20-inch London carry-on has a scratch- and dent-resistant textured ABS shell and clever bumper patches on the corners.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025
Then there’s the S line Black Optic Sport Package with those distinctive S line front and rear bumpers, black Audi rings and badging, along with mirror caps, window surrounds, and door handles finished in stealthy black.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025
Be sure to do so once the middle of your car lines up with the front car's rear bumper.
—Olivia Munson, USA Today, 18 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 2 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share