1
: a device that raises, transfers, delivers, or compresses fluids or that attenuates gases especially by suction or pressure or both
2
: heart
3
: an act or the process of pumping
4
: an energy source (such as light) for pumping atoms or molecules
5
: a biological mechanism by which atoms, ions, or molecules are transported across cell membranes compare sodium pump
pumped; pumping; pumps
1
: to work a pump : raise or move a fluid with a pump
2
: to exert oneself to pump or as if to pump something
3
: to move in a manner that resembles the action of a pump handle
1
a
: to raise (something, such as water) with a pump
b
: to draw fluid from with a pump
2
: to pour forth, deliver, or draw with or as if with a pump
pumped money into the economy
pump new life into the classroom
3
a
: to question persistently
pumped him for the information
b
: to elicit by persistent questioning
4
a
: to operate by manipulating a lever
b
: to manipulate as if operating a pump handle
pumped my hand warmly
c
: to cause to move with an action resembling that of a pump handle
a runner pumping her arms
5
: to transport (something, such as ions) against a concentration gradient by the expenditure of energy
6
a
: to excite (atoms or molecules) especially so as to cause emission of coherent monochromatic electromagnetic radiation (as in a laser)
b
: to energize (something, such as a laser) by pumping
: a shoe that grips the foot chiefly at the toe and heel
especially
: a close-fitting woman's dress shoe with a moderate to high heel
Examples of pump in a Sentence
Verb
He pumped the water up from the bottom of the boat.
The machine suddenly stopped pumping.
We pumped the boat dry.
We had to pump the basement out.
Your heart pumps blood all over your body.
I could feel the blood pumping through my veins.
Blood pumped out of the cut.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Flynn, People.com, 17 May 2025
This can be done via injections or with an insulin pump.
—Daniel Combs, Verywell Health, 16 May 2025
Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2025
Outside factors can pump the breaks on the honeymoon phase, too.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pump
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
Hadid paired the iconic dress — embellished with metallic ruffles and rosette decals — with silver Jimmy Choo pointed pumps.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 17 May 2025
This can be done via injections or with an insulin pump.
—Daniel Combs, Verywell Health, 16 May 2025
Verb
The small crew pumped their fists after the rankings were announced.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2025
Outside factors can pump the breaks on the honeymoon phase, too.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pump
Cite this Entry
“Pump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pump. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pump
1 of 3 noun
: a device that raises, transfers, delivers, or compresses fluids especially by suction or pressure or both
pump
2 of 3 verb1
: to raise, transfer, or compress by means of a pump
pump up water
2
: to free (as from water or air) by the use of a pump
pump a boat dry
3
: to fill by using a pump
pump up a tire
4
: to draw, force, or drive onward in the manner of a pump
the heart pumps blood into the arteries
5
: to move up and down like a pump handle
pump the hand of a friend
6
a
: to question again and again to find out something
b
: to draw out by such questioning
pumper
noun
pump
3 of 3 noun
: a low shoe gripping the foot chiefly at the toe and heel
Medical Definition
pump
1 of 2 noun1
: a device that raises, transfers, or compresses fluids or that attenuates gases especially by suction or pressure or both
2
: heart
3
: an act or the process of pumping
4
: an energy source (as light) for pumping atoms or molecules
5
: a mechanism by which atoms, ions, or molecules are transported across cell membranes see proton pump, sodium pump
pump
2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to work a pump : raise or move a fluid with a pump
1
: to raise (as water) with a pump
2
: to draw fluid from with a pump
3
: to transport (as ions) against a concentration gradient by the expenditure of energy
4
a
: to excite (as atoms or molecules) especially so as to cause emission of coherent monochromatic electromagnetic radiation (as in a laser)
b
: to energize (as a laser) by pumping
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