WordGarden.iopump
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈʌmp/
US
- /ˈpəmp/
Meanings
Noun
a device that moves liquid, air, or gas by suction or pressure
a low-cut shoe without a fastening, often worn as a dress shoe
Verb
to move or force liquid, air, or gas with a pump or repeated pressure
Beyond the definition
A pump is often a machine that moves liquid or air from one place to another. You see this in a gas pump, a bicycle pump, or even in the heart, which pumps blood through the body. The word can also describe a repeated pushing motion, like pumping the brakes or pumping your arms as you run.
It also has a figurative side. If someone pumps you up, they make you feel excited, ready, or full of energy. People also use "pumping" to describe a place full of life and noise, especially with music. In another common noun use, pumps are a style of low-cut shoe, often worn for formal or office settings.
The word "pump" has a surprisingly versatile range of meanings. At its core, it refers to the act of moving fluids or gases using suction or pressure. The most common image might be a gasoline pump at a filling station, where a mechanical device draws fuel from an underground tank. But pumps are everywhere: water pumps provide clean drinking water, sump pumps remove excess water from basements, and our hearts function as biological pumps, circulating blood throughout our bodies.
Mechanically, a pump works by creating a pressure difference, drawing fluid in and then forcing it out. This idea of repeated force also led to another common use of the word: moving something up and down or back and forth with energy, such as "pumping the brakes" in a car, "pumping your fists" in celebration, or "pumping iron" at the gym.
Beyond the physical, "pump" has several figurative meanings. To "pump someone up" means to motivate or energize them. You can also "pump someone for information," which means to keep asking questions in order to get details or secrets. In fashion, "pumps" are low-cut shoes, usually simple in shape and often worn in formal or business settings, especially by women. From the practical work of moving liquids to the emotional force of building excitement, "pump" suggests motion, pressure, and energy.
Examples
- 1
Bike tire
I used a hand pump to fill the bike tire.
- 2
Gas station
There was a long line at the gas pumps before the holiday weekend.
- 3
Water removal
They pumped water out of the basement after the storm.
- 4
Body function
Your heart pumps blood through your body all day.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Physical movement
She pumped her legs faster on the last part of the race.
- 6
Public investment
The city is pumping more money into public transport.
- Patternpump money into + project
invest a lot of money in it
- 7
Fast production
The factory pumps out thousands of bottles a day.
- Patternpump out + products
produce a lot very quickly
- 8
Team motivation
The coach tried to pump the players up before the final.
- Patternpump someone up
make them feel excited and confident
- 9
Getting information
He was clearly pumping me for information about the deal.
- Patternpump someone for information
keep asking questions to get information
- 10
Slow down
Before you sign anything, pump the brakes and read the contract carefully.
- Phrasepump the brakes
slow down or stop before doing something
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- pumpnounverb
Forms
- pumpspluralnounverb
- pumping-ing formverbnoun
- pumpedpast tenseverbnoun