speed bump: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Technical (Traffic Engineering)
Quick answer
What does “speed bump” mean?
A raised ridge or dome installed across a road surface, designed to slow vehicle traffic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A raised ridge or dome installed across a road surface, designed to slow vehicle traffic.
Any deliberate obstacle or decelerating factor introduced into a process, system, or plan to slow progress or enforce caution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'sleeping policeman' and 'road hump' are common synonyms. 'Speed bump' is widely understood but slightly less formal. In US English, 'speed bump' is the dominant, almost exclusive term.
Connotations
UK: 'Sleeping policeman' can sound informal/humorous. 'Road hump' is more official/technical. US: 'Speed bump' is neutral and standard. In both, metaphorical use carries a mildly negative connotation of an unexpected or annoying delay.
Frequency
US: Very high frequency. UK: High frequency, but 'road hump' is used in official contexts (e.g., highway code).
Grammar
How to Use “speed bump” in a Sentence
encounter/hit/face a speed bump [in/on + noun phrase]to speed bump + noun phrase (metaphorical verb, informal)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “speed bump” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council's new policy could effectively speed bump the development plans.
- They decided to speed bump the process with extra checks.
American English
- The unexpected regulation speed bumped our product launch.
- Let's not speed bump this with unnecessary meetings.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphor: 'We've hit a speed bump in the merger talks.'
Academic
Rare, unless discussing traffic engineering or urban planning.
Everyday
Common when discussing driving, local roads, or minor setbacks. 'Careful, there's a speed bump ahead.'
Technical
Used in traffic engineering; specifications differ from 'speed humps' (broader, gentler).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “speed bump”
- Confusing 'speed bump' (sharper, for very low speeds) with 'speed hump' (broader, for higher speeds). Using it as a verb without context ('They speed bumped the project') is very informal.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A speed bump is more abrupt and taller, designed for very low speeds (like car parks). A speed hump is longer and gentler, designed for slightly higher speeds (like residential streets).
Yes, very commonly. It refers to any unexpected obstacle or delay in a process (e.g., 'a speed bump in our plans').
It is standardly written as two separate words.
The official term in the UK Highway Code is 'road hump'. 'Sleeping policeman' is informal, and 'speed bump' is widely understood.
A raised ridge or dome installed across a road surface, designed to slow vehicle traffic.
Speed bump is usually informal, technical (traffic engineering) in register.
Speed bump: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspiːd bʌmp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspid bʌmp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hit a speed bump in the road (metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a car SPEEDing and then suddenly going BUMP! The word describes exactly what it does.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS A JOURNEY / AN OBSTACLE IS A BUMP IN THE ROAD.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a BRITISH synonym for 'speed bump'?