jump

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

see also:

jump bail jump ship jump the gun jump the queue jump the shark

Synonyms of jump

• leap
• hop

Examples of jump in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The show then jumps ahead to the start of the next summer in Barry’s Bay, where Percy works to reopen the tavern. —Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 10 June 2026

Becerra has taken a far more measured approach, though whether that will sway many Democratic entertainment workers to jump parties remains to be seen. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2026

China’s passenger car exports jumped 73% year-on-year in May to around 809,000 vehicles, an industry group reported Wednesday, as higher gasoline and diesel prices due to the war in Iran raised interest in electric vehicles. —ABC News, 10 June 2026

As a result, airline fares jumped almost 27% over the same time period. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably akin to Low German gumpen to jump

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

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
• chicken-coop 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 bail
• 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 ship
• jump shooter
• jump shot
• jump-start
• jump the gun
• jump the light
• jump the queue
• jump the rails
• jump the shark
• 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