jettison

[ jet-uh-suhn, -zuhn ]

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).

noun

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

jettison

/ ˈdʒɛtɪsən; -zən /

verb

1. to throw away; abandon

   to jettison old clothes

2. to throw overboard

noun

1. another word for jetsam

Other Words From

• jetti·son·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jettison¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of jettison¹

C15: from Old French getaison, ultimately from Latin jactātiō a tossing about; see jactation

Example Sentences

This left Ariane's upper-stage unable to initiate the burn that was supposed to bring it out of orbit and also set up the final task of the mission – to jettison two re-entry capsules.

From BBC

The small turnouts for his rallies, his multiple felonies and indictments, his blatant racism and obvious lying, and the jettison of normie Republicans who have been tired of his schtick and string of losses for many years now show all signs of a big win for Haris and Walz in November.

From Salon

Taken by the idea of expanding their footprint into California, Nevada and Arizona, Haggen quickly dropped $1.4 billion for the Vons, Pavilions and Safeways that Albertsons needed to jettison in order for the merger to be approved, but then buyer’s remorse quickly set in.

From Salon

There’s a certain amount of melancholy about aging that I can’t simply jettison.

From Los Angeles Times

One source of change is freely available: Harris could jettison some of the overcautious, out-of-touch campaign staffers that she inherited from the abysmal Biden reelection campaign and replace them with outside-the-box thinkers committed to a bolder vision.

From Slate

Related Words

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