pumping

American

[puhm-ping] / ˈpʌm pɪŋ /

noun

the act or process of pumping or the action of a pump.
Meteorology. rapid change in the height of the column in a mercury barometer, resulting from fluctuations in the surrounding air pressure.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

pumpings

plural

Etymology

Origin of pumping

First recorded in 1590–1600; pump ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Energy companies are viewed as a natural fit for producing lithium, which is sourced by pumping salty brines from underground using similar techniques to oil.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 6, 2026

During major storms, incoming water can exceed the capacity of the underground pumping system.

From Science Daily • Jul. 6, 2026

Coach Mauricio Pochettino was seen pumping his fist and singing along with gusto.

From Barron's • Jul. 5, 2026

This was an implicit commitment by the Fed to counteract sharp declines in the market by pumping liquidity into the economy through the mass purchase of Treasury bonds.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

If the containment layers at unit 2 were destroyed, it would be too dangerous for workers to continue pumping water into units 1 and 3.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023