crump

American  

[kruhmp, kroomp] / krʌmp, krʊmp /

verb (used with object)

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

---

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

---

noun

1. a crunching, thudding, or exploding noise

Etymology

Origin of crump

First recorded in 1640–50; imitative

Example Sentences

In February last year, the crump of artillery was still distant, but the factories had long since shut down as the city turned into a military camp with restaurants and barbers catering to soldiers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

It was all very muddy and riddled with shrapnel or bits of crump, so I just cut off the only sound bit.

From Letters to Helen Impressions of an Artist on the Western Front by Henderson, Keith