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Synonyms

pumping

American  
[puhm-ping] / ˈpʌm pɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act or process of pumping or the action of a pump.

  2. Meteorology. rapid change in the height of the column in a mercury barometer, resulting from fluctuations in the surrounding air pressure.


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.

This gives the heart a bigger job of pumping it around the body and it copes by dialling up the blood pressure - a bit like cranking the tap on a garden hose pipe.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

And while EV “fuel ups” are typically cheaper than the cheapest gasoline, the cost difference between charging and pumping wasn’t big enough.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Chevron’s U.S. refineries were pumping out fuel at a record rate.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

The Tule and Tulare Lake groundwater subbasins were put on probation by the board in 2024 because they weren’t doing enough to control excessive pumping, which has caused levels to plummet.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

She was bopping up the street, pumping her arms as if banging on the biggest invisible drum set ever imagined.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds

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