1
a
: the upper rounded part of the hindquarters of a quadruped mammal
b
c
: the sacral or dorsal part of the posterior end of a bird
2
: a cut of meat (such as beef) between the loin and round see beef illustration
3
: a small or inferior remnant or offshoot
especially : a group (such as a parliament) carrying on in the name of the original body after the departure or expulsion of a large number of its members

Example Sentences

I slipped and fell on my rump. she plopped down on her rump to listen to the campfire story
Recent Examples on the Web National deputy Pablo Cervi is the candidate of a rump JxC alliance based primarily on the Unión Cívica Radical (UCR) and the Coalición Cívica (CC) along with some PRO members who did not agree with the party’s decision to back Figueroa. Baker Institute, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023 That said, identifying a calm deer by its rump is a useful way to differentiate between the species. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 14 Feb. 2023 Midgallop, a cheetah hooks one of its two sharp, retractable claws into the prey’s rump to yank the animal off balance. Josie Garthwaite, Discover Magazine, 11 Dec. 2013 That's expensive, inconvenient, and honestly just a pain in the rump. Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2011 That evening, Doncic went with another option, sticking his rump into Devin Booker and scooting him backward into the lane. Robert O'connell, WSJ, 22 Dec. 2022 Dapper gray warbler with red face, black head-band and white rump. Shanti Lerner, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2022 Despite the card’s rump-like rendition, tourists flocked to The Bean on Friday. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2022 The modern Republic of Armenia is very much a rump, and an artifact of the historic expansion of the Russian Empire in the Caucasus at the expense of the Ottomans and Persians. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2010 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rump.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish rumpe rump; akin to Middle High German rumph torso

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rump was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rump

Cite this Entry

“Rump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rump. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

rump

noun
1
a
: upper rounded part of the hindquarters of a 4-legged animal
2
: a cut of beef between the loin and round

Medical Definition

rump

noun
1
: the upper rounded part of the hindquarters of a quadruped mammal
2
: the seat of the body : buttocks

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