bumper

¹

[ buhm-per ]

noun

1. a person or thing that bumps.
2. a metal guard, usually horizontal, for protecting the front or rear of an automobile, truck, etc.
3. any protective rim, guard, pad, or disk for absorbing shock and preventing damage from bumping as a rubber-tipped doorstop or an old tire on the side of a boat.
4. a cup or glass filled to the brim, as with beer.
5. Informal. something unusually large.
6. a person who molds bricks by hand.
7. Foundry. a machine for ramming sand into a mold.
8. a carangid fish, Chlorosombrus chrysurus, of southern U.S. and Cuban coastal seas.
9. Television.
   1. Also bump. Also called bumper tease. in a news program, a brief teaser coming at the end of a segment just before commercials, announcing or previewing a forthcoming story.
   2. Also called commercial bumper,. a brief interval of music, graphics, or voiceover serving as a transition between program and advertising content.

adjective

1. unusually abundant:

   Bumper crops reaped a big profit for local farmers.

verb (used with object)

1. to fill to the brim.

bumper

²

[ buhm-per ]

noun

, Australian Slang.

1. the unconsumed end of a cigarette; cigarette butt.

bumper

¹

/ ˈbʌmpə /

noun

1. a horizontal metal bar attached to the front or rear end of a car, lorry, etc, to protect against damage from impact
2. a person or machine that bumps
3. cricket a ball bowled so that it bounces high on pitching; bouncer

bumper

²

/ ˈbʌmpə /

noun

1. old-fashioned.
   a cigarette end

bumper

³

/ ˈbʌmpə /

noun

1. a glass, tankard, etc, filled to the brim, esp as a toast
2. an unusually large or fine example of something

adjective

1. unusually large, fine, or abundant

   a bumper crop

verb

1. tr to toast with a bumper
2. tr to fill to the brim
3. intr to drink bumpers

Word History and Origins

Origin of bumper¹

First recorded in 1750–60; bump + -er ¹

Origin of bumper²

First recorded in 1890–95; expressive coinage, perhaps blend of butt ¹ and stump + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bumper¹

C19: perhaps from a blend of butt ¹and stump

Origin of bumper²

C17 (in the sense: a brimming glass): probably from bump (obsolete vb) to bulge; see bump

Example Sentences

Silverman was sure that she hadn’t so much as smudged his bumper.

From Washington Post

Some bolt on metal bars that extend from the vehicle’s frame and out under the bumper, forming a hoop that you can use to attach lights.

From Outside Online

Although annual statistics for engagements are virtually nonexistent, there’s evidence to suggest the coronavirus pandemic has produced a bumper crop.

From Washington Post

We’ve all had the experience of sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic with nothing but miles of red taillights ahead, wishing we could somehow break away from the pack and zoom off to our destination traffic-free.

From Singularity Hub 

It looked so good like this that I almost regretted the need for bumpers.

From Outside Online

To accompany breakfast or lunch, there's hibiscus lavender tea or locally roasted Bumper Crop coffee.

From The Daily Beast

Bumper stickers proclaiming “Gitmo Saves Lives” can be purchased at keepamericasafe.com for $5.

From The Daily Beast

Bumper stickers have even been printed that say "No to the murtazeqa," beside a silhouette of a man wearing a yellow hardhat.

From The Daily Beast

Bumper looked in Jimsy's and Wheedle's eyes, and saw they were pink, but he was still doubtful.

From Project Gutenberg

That was an answer good enough for any rabbit, and Bumper should have been satisfied, but he had a very inquisitive mind.

From Project Gutenberg

Bumper promised not to be spoilt by listening to what little girls said, and then eagerly repeated his question.

From Project Gutenberg

Rabbits don't like to be called by two different names, and if I was you, ma'm, I'd keep on calling him Bumper.

From Project Gutenberg

Which was true, but Bumper went to sleep dreaming of a million questions he would ask his mother in the morning.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• armor
• buffer
• bulwark
• safeguard
• shelter