pump
puhmp
Pump (noun) means a device that moves or pushes liquid or gas from one place to another. Example: “A small pump keeps the water moving round the fish tank.”
noun
1
A device that moves or pushes liquid or gas from one place to another.
"A small pump keeps the water moving round the fish tank."
"The bicycle pump was in the shed, so I filled the tyres."
"The well uses an electric pump to bring up water."
2
A woman's low-cut shoe with a fairly high heel and no fastening.
"Her red pump slipped off at the door and she hopped to fetch it."
"He bought a pair of navy pumps to wear to the office party."
"She wore black pumps with her dress."
verb
1
To move liquid or gas using a pump, or to move something rhythmically like a pump.
"The machine pumps clean water to every house in the village."
"Firefighters pumped water onto the flames."
"His heart pumped hard after the sprint."
How to use pump
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA device for moving liquid/gas, the act of moving something that way, or a style of heeled shoe.
Common pairings
petrol pump
pump water
pair of pumps
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Word forms
- Plural
- pumps
- Third person singular
- pumps
- Past tense
- pumped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A small _____ keeps the water moving round the fish tank.
Etymology
From Middle English pumpe, likely from a Dutch or Low German word for a pipe or water conduit.
Related words
Rhymes for pump
See all rhymes for pump →Frequently asked questions
What does “pump” mean?
The word “pump” means a device that moves or pushes liquid or gas from one place to another. In plain terms, a device for moving liquid/gas, the act of moving something that way, or a style of heeled shoe.
How do you pronounce “pump”?
“Pump” is pronounced puhmp (/pʌmp/ in IPA).
How do you use “pump” in a sentence?
Here is “pump” used in a sentence: “The well uses an electric pump to bring up water.”
What part of speech is “pump”?
Depending on how it is used, “pump” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pump” come from?
The word “pump” comes from Middle English. From Middle English pumpe, likely from a Dutch or Low German word for a pipe or water conduit.
Is “pump” a common word?
“Pump” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “pump” have?
“Pump” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device that moves or pushes liquid or gas from one place to another.
What is the difference between a pump and a compressor?
A pump is a device that moves liquid or gas from one place to another. A compressor is a machine that specifically squeezes gas into a smaller volume to raise its pressure, so all compressors move gas but not all pumps compress it.
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