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
Ed Garibian, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The designer added further contrast to the overall look with a pair of white, pointed-toe pumps to complete the ensemble.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 7 Mar. 2025
The Vatican said as of Tuesday morning, Francis no longer needed to wear the noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask that covers his nose and mouth to pump oxygen into his lungs and was just receiving supplemental oxygen through a nasal tube.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pump
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Noun
By monitoring vibration and temperature data from a pump, AI can predict when a bearing is likely to fail, allowing maintenance to be scheduled proactively to avoid a catastrophic breakdown.
—Ed Garibian, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The designer added further contrast to the overall look with a pair of white, pointed-toe pumps to complete the ensemble.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
This week, the CEO of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced the company would pump $100 billion into the U.S. to build five new chip manufacturing facilities.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 7 Mar. 2025
The Vatican said as of Tuesday morning, Francis no longer needed to wear the noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask that covers his nose and mouth to pump oxygen into his lungs and was just receiving supplemental oxygen through a nasal tube.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pump
Articles Related to pump
Cite this Entry
“Pump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pump. Accessed 12 Mar. 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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