jettison

American  

[jet-uh-suhn, -zuhn] / ˈdʒɛt ə sən, -zən /

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).

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noun

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

2. jetsam.

jettison British  

/ ˈdʒɛtɪsən, -zən /

verb

1. to throw away; abandon

   to jettison old clothes

2. to throw overboard

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noun

1. another word for jetsam

Other Word Forms

• jettisonable adjective

Etymology

Origin of jettison

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

Example Sentences

Nor was he sentimental about jettisoning poor performers, insisting that “my obligation was to the living, not the dead.”

From The Wall Street Journal

People like Schliemann enjoyed short-lived pay boosts, only to be jettisoned into an economy where everything costs more.

From The Wall Street Journal

But he has intervened in reviews and jettisoned other drugs that fall outside his bailiwick.

From The Wall Street Journal

But he had jettisoned his phone to avoid being tracked, according to Tévoédjrè.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ultimately, Franco jettisons his characters for the sake of unearned plot twists that leave the viewer feeling only icky.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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