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

"Distractions from that mission should be jettisoned... We must use officers' time to protect the public and catch criminals. Offensive speech is not the same as illegal speech."

From BBC

In recent years, the company jettisoned metrics like class sizes and giving by alumni and added others, such as how first-generation students fare.

From New York Times

As president, Trump jettisoned the landmark Iran nuclear deal, signed in 2015 by President Obama and five other world powers.

From Los Angeles Times

Harris has long since jettisoned those positions on healthcare, immigration and fracking.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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