jettison

[jet-uh-suhn, -zuhn]

verb (used with object)

1. to cast (goods) overboard in order to lighten a vessel or aircraft or to improve its stability in an emergency.

2. to throw off (something) as an obstacle or burden; discard.

3. Cards.,  to discard (an unwanted card or cards).

noun

1. the act of casting goods from a vessel or aircraft to lighten or stabilize it.

2. jetsam.

jettison

/ ˈdʒɛtɪsən, -zən /

verb

1. to throw away; abandon

   to jettison old clothes

2. to throw overboard

noun

1. another word for jetsam

Other Word Forms

• jettisonable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jettison¹

1375–1425; late Middle English jetteson < Anglo-French; Old French getaison ≪ Latin jactātiōn- (stem of jactātiō ) jactation

Word History and Origins

Origin of jettison¹

C15: from Old French getaison, ultimately from Latin jactātiō a tossing about; see _jactation

Example Sentences

Although they live within their means, Man-su’s termination jettisons the You family from their tax bracket and thrusts its patriarch down a rabbit hole of shame and emasculation.

From Salon

Increased focus on criminality and jettisoning citizenship pathways also stands to repel progressive members of the Democratic Party, stymying the potential for immigration reform regardless, Jones said.

From Salon

This was just five years after the tragic death of Marilyn Monroe — one of Mansfield’s notable silver-screen inspirations — and in the time since her death, Monroe had jettisoned from famous to infamous.

From Salon

Discovery is the latest media company to shed employees from its cable TV channels, with several dozen positions jettisoned Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

This was a movement looking to reshape the whole European project with its own brand of conservativism, jettisoning the old EU liberalism.

From BBC

Related Words

• abandon 
• abdicate 
• discard 
• dump 
• junk 
• scrap 
• shed 
• unload