pump
1 of 3noun (1)
ˈpəmp 
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
pump
2 of 3verb
pumped; pumping; pumps
intransitive verb
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
transitive verb
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
pump
3 of 3noun (2)
: 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
Synonyms
Verb
- bob
- bobble
- jog
- jounce
- nod
- seesaw
- wag
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English pumpe, pompe; akin to Middle Low German pumpe pump, Middle Dutch pompe
Noun (2)
origin unknown
First Known Use
Noun (1)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1508, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun (2)
1555, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing pump
Kids Definition
pump 1 of 2
noun
ˈpəmp
: a device for raising, moving, or compressing liquids or gases
pump
2 of 2verb
pumped; pumping
1
: to raise, move, or compress by using a pump
pump water
2
: to fill by using a pump
I pumped up my tires.
3
: to draw, force, or drive onward in the manner of a pump
The heart pumps blood through the body.
4
: to question again and again to find out something
She proceeded to pump me about my family and circumstances …
Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted
Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted5
: to move (something) up and down or in and out quickly and repeatedly
He pumped his fist in the air.
6
: to remove (a liquid or gas) from by using a pump
We pumped the boat dry.
Medical Definition
pump 1 of 2
noun
ˈpəmp
1
: 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 2intransitive verb
: to work a pump : raise or move a fluid with a pump
transitive verb
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
pumping
verb
1
as in bobbing
to make short up-and-down movements the thighs of the bicyclists were pumping furiously as they neared the finish line Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bobbing
- shaking
- jerking
- swaying
- seesawing
- jogging
- rocking
- nodding
- oscillating
- jouncing
- swinging
- jiggling
- wiggling
- wagging
- ducking
- bobbling
- undulating
- wobbling
- dropping
- wabbling
2
as in interrogating
to put a series of questions to prying neighbors pumped the guileless child for information about the family's new pool Synonyms & Similar Words
- interrogating
- examining
- questioning
- sweating
- grilling
- quizzing
- querying
- catechizing
- harassing
- debriefing
- pestering
- picking the brains of
- giving the third degree to
- hounding
- canvassing
- annoying
- polling
- canvasing
- cross-examining
- cross-questioning
3
as in draining
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely pumped water from the well Synonyms & Similar Words
- draining
- sucking
- emptying
- siphoning
- tapping
- bleeding
- syphoning
- cleaning
- milking
- evacuating
- drafting
- flushing
- exhausting
- purging
- drawing (off)
- depleting
- clearing
- decanting
- effusing
- voiding
- vacuating
- vacating
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- filling
- soaking
- drenching
- washing
- wetting
- watering
- bathing
- flooding
- dousing
- inundating
- overflowing
- drowning
- swamping
- sousing
- submerging
- deluging
- dowsing