Search results for 'pump':

pump¹ noun 1 any of various piston-operated or other devices for forcing or driving liquids or gases into or out of something, etc. 2 a standing device with a handle that is worked up and down for raising water from beneath the ground, especially one serving as the water supply to a community. 3 a a device for forcing air into a tyre; b in compounds • bicycle pump • foot pump. 4 (also petrol pump) a device for raising petrol from an underground storage tank to fill a vehicle's petrol tank. verb (pumped, pumping) 1 tr & intr to raise, force or drive (a liquid or gas) out of or into something with a pump. 2 (usually pump something up) to inflate (a tyre, etc) with a pump. 3 to force something in large gushes or flowing amounts. 4 to pour (money or other resources) into a project, etc. 5 to force out the contents of (someone's stomach) to rid it of a poison, etc. 6 to try to extract information from someone by persistent questioning. 7 to work something vigorously up and down, as though operating a pump handle. 8 to fire (bullets, etc), often into someone or something • pumped bullets into her. pump iron colloq to exercise with weights; to go in for weight-training.
ETYMOLOGY: 15c: from Dutch pumpe pipe.

pump² noun 1 a light dancing shoe. 2 a plain, low-cut flat shoe for women. 3 a gymshoe or plimsoll.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c.