speed bump

noun

: a low raised ridge across a roadway (as in a parking lot) to limit vehicle speed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Just as yours truly, an unapologetic urbanite, was starting to succumb to nature’s charm, civilization appeared like a speed bump. Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2021 So maybe the NL Central winner has, in recent years, been a mere speed bump for the coastal elites on their way to the World Series. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2022 The groin problem is just the latest speed bump for Lane. Bob Mcmanaman, The Arizona Republic, 9 Feb. 2023 However, with its ability to spend on major projects now massively curbed, the plan may hit a speed bump. Quartz, 8 Feb. 2023 The Aggies hit a speed bump when it was announced that senior wideout Ainias Smith would miss the rest of the season due to a leg injury. Dallas News, 29 Sep. 2022 Early in the trailer, Russell cracks a joke about being cut from his junior varsity team — a small speed bump on the road to back-to-back NCAA titles, a 1956 Olympic gold medal, and 11 NBA championships. Kevin Slane, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Jan. 2023 However, their long-running partnership hit a speed bump in 2019. Terry Terrones, EW.com, 17 Jan. 2023 In the world of Wired, distribution was a technical issue, a speed bump on a road being built by smart engineers. Justin Beal, Harper’s Magazine , 12 Dec. 2022 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of speed bump was in 1972

Dictionary Entries Near speed bump

Cite this Entry

“Speed bump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speed%20bump. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

speed bump

noun
: a low raised ridge across a roadway (as in a parking lot) to limit vehicle speed

More from Merriam-Webster on speed bump

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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