thump

American  

[thuhmp] / θʌmp /

noun

1. a blow with something thick and heavy, producing a dull sound; a heavy knock.

2. the sound made by or as if by such a blow.

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verb (used with object)

1. to strike or beat with something thick and heavy, so as to produce a dull sound; pound.

2. (of an object) to strike against (something) heavily and noisily.

3. Informal. to thrash severely.

verb (used without object)

1. to strike, beat, or fall heavily, with a dull sound.

2. to walk with heavy steps; pound.

3. to palpitate or beat violently, as the heart.

thump British  

/ θʌmp /

noun

1. the sound of a heavy solid body hitting or pounding a comparatively soft surface

2. a heavy blow with the hand

   he gave me a thump on the back

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verb

1. (tr) to strike or beat heavily; pound

2. (intr) to throb, beat, or pound violently

   his heart thumped with excitement

Other Word Forms

• thumper noun
• unthumped adjective

Etymology

Origin of thump

First recorded in 1530–40; imitative

Example Sentences

Frank led him down a corridor and up a flight of stairs, thumping hard and fast with his stick.

From Literature

She sits down with a thump in what seems to be her favorite chair.

From Literature

As I’m standing there, lost in thought, I hear the door open again, and the familiar thump of feet.

From Literature

The rub is they ended up grasping desperately for the point Romero's thumping header gave them.

From BBC

After close to four years without a new release, Harry Styles re-emerged this week with “Aperture,” a thumping electronic track featuring handsome choral harmonies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• thud