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

see also:

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

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

Synonyms of jump

Verb

• leap
• hop

Noun

• leap
• hop

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

In California, annual sales of new light-duty zero-emission vehicles jumped 43% in 2022, according to the state’s Energy Commission. —Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

At the start of the war, many analysts had expected prices to jump this high, but most also assumed the key passageway would re-open relatively quickly, keeping the surge in prices relatively contained. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

Noun

For most professionals, taking the jump means putting their health insurance, work-life balance, and steady salaries on the line. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026

Success while making the jump is possible. —Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026

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
• 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