pump
B1Neutral - common in everyday, technical, and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
a mechanical device that forces liquid or gas to move in a specific direction, or the action of operating such a device.
to move something vigorously up and down or in and out (e.g., a fist, legs); to repeatedly ask questions in an effort to extract information; to increase the amount or level of something rapidly (e.g., money, volume); in fashion, a type of women's low-heeled or heel-less shoe.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, primarily refers to a mechanical device. As a verb, its meaning extends metaphorically to any regular, forceful, or repetitive action or the act of increasing something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. 'Petrol pump' (UK) vs. 'gas pump' (US). The shoe type 'pump' is slightly more common in US fashion terminology.
Connotations
Largely identical. In finance, 'to pump money into' is universal. In informal contexts, 'pump iron' (to lift weights) is common in both.
Frequency
Comparatively high frequency in both varieties, with similar distributions across literal and metaphorical uses.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
pump sth into sthpump sth out of sthpump sth uppump sb for informationVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pump iron”
- “prime the pump”
- “pump someone's hand”
- “all hands to the pump”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To invest large amounts of capital quickly (e.g., 'The government pumped funds into the startup sector.').
Academic
In biology/physics, describing mechanical or biological force (e.g., 'The sodium-potassium pump maintains cellular potential.').
Everyday
Refueling a vehicle, inflating tires, exercising (e.g., 'I need to pump up my bike tyres.').
Technical
A device for moving fluids in engineering, chemistry, or medicine (e.g., 'The centrifugal pump failed, causing a shutdown.').
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The village's old water pump is a historical landmark.
- She wore black patent leather pumps to the interview.
- There was a queue at the petrol pump.
American English
- The bilge pump on the boat kept it from sinking.
- Her favorite shoes are classic ballet pumps.
- He put the nozzle from the gas pump into his car.
verb
British English
- Could you pump up the football before the match?
- The media tried to pump the minister for information about the scandal.
- Our hearts pump blood tirelessly.
American English
- I need to pump gas before we hit the highway.
- He pumps iron at the gym five days a week.
- The studio pumped out three sequels in two years.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bicycle pump is in the garage.
- My heart pumps very fast when I run.
- We had to pump air into the inflatable kayak.
- The company pumps a lot of money into local sports teams.
- The interviewer kept pumping him for details about his previous salary.
- New legislation is designed to pump life into the struggling housing market.
- The liver functions as a sophisticated pump, regulating numerous metabolic processes.
- Venture capitalists were wary of pumping more capital into the unproven technology.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HEART PUMPing blood. The sound 'pump-pump-pump' mimics the repetitive action.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT IS PUMPING (e.g., 'pump money into the economy', 'pump up the volume'); INFORMATION IS A LIQUID (e.g., 'pump someone for details').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'насос' (nasos) for the verb form. The verb 'to pump' is 'качать' (kachat'), but note its broader use (e.g., to swing, to rock). The shoe 'pump' is often 'лодочки' (lodočki) or 'балетки' (baletki) in Russian, not a direct cognate.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'pump' as a noun for all types of shoes (only specific types). Confusing 'pump out' (produce in large quantities) with 'pump up' (inflate, excite). Incorrect preposition: 'pump money in the economy' (correct: 'into the economy').
Practice
Quiz
In financial journalism, 'to pump money into the market' means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its core use is for liquids and gases, it's widely used metaphorically for money, information, music (volume), and even muscles (pump iron).
'Pump up' means to inflate or make more exciting/energetic. 'Pump out' means to produce something in large, often rapid, quantities (e.g., a factory pumps out goods).
It is neutral. It is perfectly acceptable in technical and formal writing when referring to mechanical devices or biological functions. Some metaphorical uses (e.g., 'pump iron') are informal.
Yes, primarily in American and fashion English, a 'pump' is a women's shoe with a medium to high heel and no fastening.