pump1

 
Pronunciation: /pʌmp/

noun

  • 1a mechanical device using suction or pressure to raise or move liquids, compress gases, or force air into inflatable objects such as tyres: a petrol pump
  • [in singular] an instance of moving something by or as if by a pump: the pump of blood to her heart
  • 2 [with modifier] Physiology an active transport mechanism in living cells by which specific ions are moved through the cell membrane against a concentration gradient: the bacterium’s sodium pump

verb

[with object]
  • 1 [with adverbial of direction] force (liquid, gas, etc.) to move by or as if by means of a pump: the blood is pumped around the body
  • [no object, with adverbial of direction] move in spurts as though driven by a pump: blood was pumping from a wound in his shoulder
  • 2fill (something such as a tyre or balloon) with liquid or gas using a pump: I fetched the bike and pumped up the back tyre my veins had been pumped full of glucose
  • informal shoot (bullets) into (a target): he pumped two shots into the van’s front tyre
  • (as adjective pumped or pumped up) informal very enthusiastic or excited: the team came out really pumped up
  • 3move vigorously up and down: [with object]: we had to pump the handle like mad [no object]: that’s superb running—look at his legs pumping
  • apply and release (a brake pedal or lever) several times in quick succession, typically to prevent skidding: the school teaches its students to brake by pumping the pedal
  • 4 informal try to elicit information from (someone) by persistent questioning: she began to pump her friend for details

Phrases

pump someone's hand

shake a person’s hand vigorously: he greeted us with delight, pumping our hands and laughing

pump iron

informal exercise with weights: she spent her time jogging and pumping iron

Phrasal Verbs

pump something in/into

informal invest a large sum of money in (something): he pumped all his savings into building the boat

pump something out

produce or emit something in large quantities or amounts: carnival bands pumping out music

pump something up

informal turn up the volume of music.

Derivatives

pumper

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (originally in nautical use): related to Dutch pomp 'ship's pump' (earlier in the sense 'wooden or metal conduit'), probably partly of imitative origin