thump

[thuhmp]

noun

1. a blow with something thick and heavy, producing a dull sound; a heavy knock.

2. the sound made by or as if by such a blow.

verb (used with object)

1. to strike or beat with something thick and heavy, so as to produce a dull sound; pound.

2. (of an object) to strike against (something) heavily and noisily.

3. Informal.,  to thrash severely.

verb (used without object)

1. to strike, beat, or fall heavily, with a dull sound.

2. to walk with heavy steps; pound.

3. to palpitate or beat violently, as the heart.

thump

/ θʌmp /

noun

1. the sound of a heavy solid body hitting or pounding a comparatively soft surface

2. a heavy blow with the hand

   he gave me a thump on the back

verb

1. (tr) to strike or beat heavily; pound

2. (intr) to throb, beat, or pound violently

   his heart thumped with excitement

Other Word Forms

• thumper noun
• unthumped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thump¹

First recorded in 1530–40; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of thump¹

C16: related to Icelandic, Swedish dialect dumpa to thump; see _thud , _bump

Example Sentences

At the heart of Little Village, nicknamed the Mexico of the Midwest for its vibrant Mexican culture and cuisine, streets were eerily empty Friday night -- when the hub is usually thumping with energy.

Read more on Barron's

Regarding the latter of those two teams, England have scars after the 16-0 Ashes thumping at the beginning of the year, but under coach Charlotte Edwards they are beginning to heal.

Read more on BBC

On the other end of the spectrum, a lack of thump could be cause for concern for the squad with MLB’s best record.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In Bangladesh, Ms. Hasina returned to power with a thumping parliamentary majority.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

UCLA, Berkeley and California’s other public universities can tell you what it feels like to get thumped with it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• thud