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

Derived Forms

• ˈthumper, noun

Other Words From

• thumper noun
• un·thumped 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

Her game is simple: a big serve, followed up by an equally thumping groundstroke, which initially worked to great effect against Krejcikova.

From BBC

"They got the goals, they were clinical and it shows the class they have. It was a real thumping."

From BBC

Every so often, a loud thump would hit somewhere in the distance, and they would crane their necks trying to see smoke and identify where it might be.

From Los Angeles Times

Few would have had New Zealand as semi-final contenders before the tournament began as they came in with 10 straight T20 defeats, but started in sensational style by thumping potential winners India in their opener.

From BBC

After 17 years in power at Holyrood, the SNP under John Swinney heads towards the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary election on the heels of a thumping by Labour in this year’s general election.

From BBC

Related Words

• thud