jump

1 of 3

verb

ˈjəmp 

jumped; jumping; jumps

intransitive verb

1

a

: to spring into the air : leap

especially : to spring free from the ground or other base by the muscular action of feet and legs

b

: to move suddenly or involuntarily : start

c

: to move energetically : hustle

d

: to start out or forward : begin

—usually used with off

jump off to a big lead

e

: to move over a position occupied by an opponent's piece in a board game often thereby capturing the piece

f

: to undergo a vertical or lateral displacement owing to improper alignment of the film on a projector mechanism

g

: to go from one sequence of instructions in a computer program to another

2

a

: to move haphazardly or irregularly : shift abruptly

jumped from job to job

b

: to undergo a sudden sharp change in value

prices jumped

c

: to make a hurried judgment

jump to conclusions

d

: to show eagerness

jumped at the chance

e

: to enter eagerly

jump on the bandwagon

f

: to change or abandon employment especially in violation of contract

g

: to rise suddenly in rank or status

h

: to make a jump in bridge

3

: to make a sudden physical or verbal attack

jumped on him for his criticism

4

: to bustle with activity

the restaurant was jumping

5

: coincide, agree

transitive verb

1

a

: to leap over

jump a hurdle

b

: to leap aboard

jump a freight

c

: to act, move, or begin before (something, such as a signal)

jump the green light

d

: to move over (a piece) in a board game

2

a

: to escape from : avoid

b

: to leave hastily or in violation of contract

jump town without paying their bills

—Hamilton Basso

c

: to depart from (a normal course)

jump the track

3

a

: to make a sudden physical or verbal attack on

b

: to occupy illegally

jump a mining claim

4

a(1)

: to cause to leap

(2)

: to cause (game) to break cover : start, flush

b

: to increase suddenly and sharply

c

: to elevate in rank or status

d

: to raise (a bridge partner's bid) by more than one rank

5

obsolete : risk, hazard

jump

2 of 3

noun

1

a(1)

: an act of jumping : leap

(2)

: any of several sports competitions featuring a leap, spring, or bound

(3)

: a leap in figure skating in which the skater leaves the ice with both feet and turns in the air

(4)

: a space cleared or covered by a leap

(5)

: an obstacle to be jumped over or from

b

: a sudden involuntary movement : start

c

: a move made in a board game by jumping

d

: a transfer from one sequence of instructions in a computer program to a different sequence

2

: an advantage at the start

getting the jump on the competition

3

a(1)

: a sharp sudden increase

(2)

: a bid in bridge of more tricks than are necessary to overcall the preceding bid compare shift

b

: an abrupt change or transition

c(1)

: a quick short journey

(2)

: one in a series of moves from one place to another

d

: the portion of a published item (such as a newspaper article or story) that comprises the continuation of an item that begins on a preceding page

4

: jazz music with a fast tempo

5

obsolete : venture

jump

3 of 3

adverb

obsolete

: exactly, pat

Phrases

jump bail

: to abscond after being released from prison on bail

jump ship

1

: to leave the company of a ship without authority

2

: to desert a cause or party especially abruptly

jump the gun

1

: to start in a race before the starting signal

2

: to act, move, or begin something before the proper time

jump the queue

British : to advance directly to or as if to the head of a line

jump the shark

: to undergo a significant change for the worse that marks the point at which a period of success ends (as for a TV series)

Did you know?

Where did jump the shark come from?

When something jumps the shark it undergoes a significant change for the worse and is on a new trajectory of unrecoverable decline. The happy days of its golden age are over.

The origin of the phrase jump the shark is tucked neatly in that previous sentence: it comes from a 1977 episode of the American TV series “Happy Days” (1974–1984) in which the program's most popular character, Fonzie, jumps over a shark while waterskiing in his trademark leather jacket. Some years later that episode came to be widely identified as marking the beginning of the iconic show's decline, and its plot device became a metaphor for similar transformations:

Nearly all TV shows ever produced have jumped the shark eventually. Such is the nature of television's creative conundrum.
— Monica Collins, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2000

Most TV series take three seasons to jump the shark, but in the theater it can happen in 20 minutes …
— Bob Verini, Daily Variety, 18 Sept. 2009

But in its headlong embrace of capitalism and corporate tie-ins, “Sex and the City” may have finally jumped the shark.
— Laura Compton, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 May 2010

The phrase is no longer limited to contexts involving entertainment; anything that undergoes a significant change for the worse that marks the start of a period of decline can be said to have "jumped the shark":

Not everyone agrees when Picasso's art jumped the shark.
— Jeffry Cudlin, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2011

Silicon Valley has “jumped the shark” and lacks innovation, venture capitalist Peter Thiel says.
— Mike Murphy, MarketWatch, 1 Nov. 2018

Synonyms

Verb

• bound
• hop
• leap
• spring
• vault

Noun

• bound
• hop
• leap
• spring
• vault

Examples of jump in a Sentence

Verb

The circus lion jumped through the hoop.

The fans were jumping up and down with excitement.

Everyone was jumping for joy when we found out that we had won an award.

The cat jumped down off the table.

The runner jumped a hurdle.

The car jumped the curb.

Everyone jumped into the pool.

He jumped into his truck and drove away.

She jumped when she heard a loud knock late at night.

She jumped to an early lead in the race.

Noun

The horse took the first jump easily but balked at the second.

took a small jump forward to avoid stepping in the puddle

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Marlins, who seized a four-run lead Friday before losing 7-4, jumped ahead early Saturday as well. —Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025

As Owen Michaels’ championship-game sealing empty-netter went in late in Saturday’s third period, the Western Michigan forward raced to the bench and jumped over the boards. —Joe Smith, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

Noun

The 6-1, 197-pounder probably won’t be available late in the first round, but his stock took a hit at the combine because his testing numbers (4.5 40-yard dash and 33-inch vertical jump) were so much worse than Emmanwori’s. —Josh Kendall, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

Those looking to upgrade from the 30 series or older must judge the RTX 5090’s performance on its own terms to see if the frame rates are enough to make the jump. —Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably akin to Low German gumpen to jump

First Known Use

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adverb

1539, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing jump

• a hop, skip, and (a) jump
• almost jump out of one's skin
• are/keep/stay one jump ahead
• be (in) for the high jump
• broad jump
• bungee jump
• come/jump to someone's defense
• get/have/gain a/the jump on
• (go) jump in a/the lake
• high jump
• hop, skip, and jump
• hop, step, and jump
• Johnny-jump-up
• jump all over
• jump at
• jump ball
• jump boot
• jump cut
• jump down someone's throat
• jump for joy
• jump hook
• jump in
• jump in (at) the deep end
• jump into action
• jump jet
• jump/leap off the page
• jump-off
• jump on
• jump out at
• jump out of one's skin
• jump pass
• jump rope
• jump scare
• jump seat
• jump shooter
• jump shot
• jump-start
• jump the light
• jump the rails
• jump the track(s)
• jump through hoops
• jump to it
• jump to someone's defense
• long jump
• quantum jump
• running jump
• ski jump
• take a running jump
• the high jump
• the long jump
• triple jump
• water jump

Rhymes for jump

• bump
• chump
• clump
• crump
• dump
• gump
• hump
• lump
• plump
• pump
• rump
• slump

Kids Definition

jump

1 of 2 verb

ˈjəmp 

1

a

: to spring into the air : leap

b

: to give a sudden movement : start

c

: to begin to move

—usually used with off

2

: to rise or raise suddenly in rank, status, or condition

prices jumped

3

: to make a sudden attack

jumped on us for being late

4

: to become lively with activity

the woods were jumping

5

a

: to pass over or cause to pass over by a leap

jump a hurdle

b

: bypass entry 2

jump electrical connections

c

: to leap aboard

jump a freight

6

: to run away and hide while at liberty under (bail)

7

: to depart from a normal course

jump the track

8

: to occupy illegally

jump a mining claim

jump

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: an act of jumping : leap

b

: any of several sports competitions that involve jumping

c

: a space covered by a leap

d

: a sudden involuntary movement : start

e

: a move made in a board game by jumping

2

a

: a sharp sudden increase

b

: one in a series of moves

keep one jump ahead

3

: an advantage at the start