crump

American  

[kruhmp, kroomp] / krʌmp, krʊmp /

verb (used with object)

1. to crunch or make a crunching sound, as with the teeth.

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verb (used without object)

1. (of an artillery shell) to land and explode with a heavy, muffled sound.

2. to make a crunching sound, as in walking over snow, or as snow when trodden on.

noun

1. a crunching sound.

2. a large explosive shell or bomb.

3. Also called bump.  Mining. a sudden ground movement in underground workings.

crump British  

/ krʌmp /

verb

1. (intr) to thud or explode with a loud dull sound

2. (tr) to bombard with heavy shells

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noun

1. a crunching, thudding, or exploding noise

Etymology

Origin of crump

First recorded in 1640–50; imitative

Example Sentences

We hear the drills and the crump of the digger.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2023

Finally scrumplicate which evokes the positive "scrumptious" but probably depends more on "scrumple" to crush and the crump of violent opposition.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2014

It was more of a crump and you felt it through the rig.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2013

While he was at it, he also looked up the word "crump."

From Time Magazine Archive

Just one of those pictures he had seen sometimes in the candle light, when it guttered in the draught, as the big crump burst outside.

From Mufti by McNeile, H. C. (Herman Cyril)