thumping

[ thuhm-ping ]

/ ˈθʌm pɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR thumping ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, like, or pertaining to a thump.

strikingly great, immense, exceptional, or impressive; resounding: a thumping victory at the polls.

Nearby words

thumbscrew, thumbstall, thumbtack, thummim, thump, thumping, thun, thunbergia, thunder, thunder bay, thunder egg

Origin of thumping

First recorded in 1570–80; thump + -ing²

Related forms

thump·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for thumping (2 of 2)

thump

[ thuhmp ]

/ θʌmp /

noun

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

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

verb (used with object)

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

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

Informal. to thrash severely.

verb (used without object)

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

to walk with heavy steps; pound.

to palpitate or beat violently, as the heart.

Origin of thump

First recorded in 1530–40; imitative

Related forms

thump·er, nounun·thumped, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for thumping

Dixon turned on the air conditioner and radio, both full blast, to drown out the thumping.
From Hero to Homeless: Tara Dixon’s Story|Paula Broadwell|July 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“I stopped her initially, because she mischaracterized what I said about Bible thumping,” O'Reilly explained.
Bill O’Reilly’s Macho Moment in On-Air Confrontation With Laura Ingraham|Lauren Ashburn|April 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The lights went down, and a thumping remix of the disco special “Love to Love You Baby” began.
Diane von Furstenberg’s Fall 2013 Show Brings Glam Rock, Seth Meyers|Isabel Wilkinson|February 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It is as if Smilevski is demanding an encore by thumping on his own book.
Goce Smilevski’s ‘Freud’s Sister’|Lauren Elkin|January 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Until recently, with global demand soaring for oil, gas, and minerals, thumping the tub against imperialism played well at home.
After the Presidential Election, a Tough Road for Hugo Chávez|Mac Margolis|October 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Soaker took his thumping in a way that I judged it was a custom between them.
The Belted Seas|Arthur Colton
It exacts from the pushing woman a thumping entrance-fee in the shape of a sumptuous concert or ball.
Modern Women and What is Said of Them|Anonymous
There was no tune and no words, but the thumping made him happy.
The Jungle Book|Rudyard Kipling
His feeble heart was thumping, for the stolen jewels were not his to return now.
A Fascinating Traitor|Richard Henry Savage
The cab, with the jerking and thumping peculiar to hansoms, made a circle and drew up at the curb.
A Modern Chronicle, Complete|Winston Churchill

British Dictionary definitions for thumping (1 of 2)

thumping

/ (ˈθʌmpɪŋ) /

adjective

(prenominal) slang huge or excessivea thumping loss

Derived Forms

thumpingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for thumping (2 of 2)

thump

/ (θʌmp) /

noun

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

a heavy blow with the handhe gave me a thump on the back

verb

(tr) to strike or beat heavily; pound

(intr) to throb, beat, or pound violentlyhis heart thumped with excitement

Derived Forms

thumper, noun

Word Origin for thump

C16: related to Icelandic, Swedish dialect dumpa to thump; see thud, bump

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012