pump¹ / pəmp/ • n. a mechanical device using suction or pressure to raise or move liquids, compress gases, or force air into inflatable objects such as tires: a gas pump. ∎  [in sing.] an instance of moving something or being moved by or as if by such a machine: the pump of blood to her heart. ∎  Physiol. 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. ∎  a pump-action shotgun.• v. 1. [tr.] force (liquid, gas, etc.) to move in a specified direction by or as if by means of a pump: the blood is pumped around the body| [intr.] if we pump long enough, we should bring the level up. ∎  [intr.] move in spurts as though driven by a pump: blood was pumping from a wound in his shoulder. ∎  fill with something: my veins had been pumped full of glucose. ∎  shoot (bullets) into a target. ∎  (pump something in/into) inf. invest a large amount of money in (something): he pumped all his savings into building the boat. ∎  [tr.] inf. try to elicit information from (someone) by persistent questioning: she began to pump her friend for details.2. [tr.] move (something) vigorously up and down: we had to pump the handle like mad. ∎  [intr.] move vigorously up and down or back and forth: 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. ∎  move one's arm as if throwing a ball held in the hand, but without releasing the ball: [in comb.] behind the plate Howard double-pumped then threw to second. PHRASES: pump someone's hand shake a person's hand vigorously.pump iron inf. exercise with weights.PHRASAL VERBS: pump out produce or emit (something) in large quantities or amounts: that little printing press pumped out our brochures for more than twenty years.pump up inflate (a tire, balloon, etc.) ∎ inf. increase: she needs to read and pump up her political grip. ∎  inf. turn up the volume of (music): let's pump up those tunes, man. ∎ inf. give inappropriate support and encouragement to: we let them pump up our egos.pump² • n. a light shoe, in particular: ∎  a woman's plain, lightweight shoe that has a low-cut upper, no fastening, and typically a medium heel. ∎  a man's slip-on patent leather shoe for formal wear.

pump A device for moving liquids by adding to the pressure existing within them. For example, a centrifugal pump first increases the velocity of the fluid by the use of impellers; this velocity increase is then converted to an increase in pressure by the use of appropriately orientated guide vanes or the use of a volute casing. Other pump types include multistage turbine pumps, jet pumps, positive-displacement pumps, and suction lifts.

pump Device for raising, compressing, propelling or transferring fluids. The lift pump, for raising water from a well, and the bicycle pump are reciprocating (to-and-fro) pumps. In many modern pumps, a rotating impeller (set of blades) causes the fluid to flow. Jet pumps move fluids by forcing a jet of liquid or gas through them.

pump1 mechanical device for raising water, etc. XV. In earliest use naut.; corr. to late MDu. pompe wood or metal pipe, stone conduit, Du. pomp ship's pump, LG. pump(e); the evidence is inadequate to decide whether the word was prior in Eng. or LG.
Hence pump vb. XVI.

pump2 light close-fitting shoe. XVI. of unkn. orig.