pump1

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

• 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