a device for absorbing some of the shock of a collision; specif., either of two bars for this purpose, at the front and rear of a motor vehicle
bumper
- a cup or glass filled to the brim
- Informal anything unusually large of its kind
Origin of bumper
probably from obsolete bombard, liquor jug, altered after bump unusually large or abundant
Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fifth Edition Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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"bumper." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Bumper>.
APA Style
bumper. (n.d.). Retrieved January 18th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Bumper
bumper
noun
- A usually metal or rubber bar attached to either end of a motor vehicle, such as a truck or car, to absorb impact in a collision.
- A protective device for absorbing shocks or impeding contact.
noun
- A drinking vessel filled to the brim.
- Something extraordinarily large.
adjective
Extraordinarily abundant or full: a bumper crop of corn.
Origin of bumper
Perhaps from bumpTHE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Cite this page
MLA Style
"bumper." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Bumper>.
APA Style
bumper. (n.d.). Retrieved January 18th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Bumper
Noun
(plural bumpers)
- 1859, Dickens, A tale of two cities, chapter 11
- Sydney Carton drank the punch at a great rate; drank it by bumpers, looking at his friend.
- (colloquial) Anything large or successful (now usually attributively).
- (automotive) Parts at the front and back of a vehicle which are meant to absorb the impact of a collision; fender
- Any mechanical device used to absorb an impact, soften a collision, or protect against impact
- Someone or something that bumps.
- (cricket) A bouncer.
- (billiards) A side wall of a pool table.
- (broadcasting) A short ditty or jingle used to separate a show from the advertisements.
- (slang, dated) A covered house at a theatre, etc., in honour of some favourite performer.
Adjective
(not comparable)
Origin
From bump + -er.
English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.
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Cite this page
MLA Style
"bumper." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Bumper>.
APA Style
bumper. (n.d.). Retrieved January 18th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Bumper
Sentence Examples
- To prevent suffocation and reduce the likelihood of SIDS, remove all soft, loose and fluffy bedding from the baby's sleep area -- this includes pillows, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, sheepskins, stuffed toys and other soft products.
- In addition to these extreme water rides, younger guests can also enjoy aquatastic attractions at Cedar Point with Sir Rub-a-Dub's Tubs in Kiddie Kingdom on the Main Midway and the Bumper Boats ride near the Gemini roller coaster.
- Two tremendous wave pools, bumper boats, a relaxing endless river, the Adventure River with geysers, waterfalls, and waves, and the Flash Flood flume boat ride with wavefront bridge are just a few of the fun watery options.
- So, you have every knick-knack, pennant, jersey, jacket and maybe even a bumper sticker or two making it clear that you are an Ohio State fan and are looking for an Ohio State Buckeyes bath robe to add to your collection?
- Though children's catalogues boast crib setups that feature mounds of stuffed animals, blankets, and bumper pads, such objects can interfere with your child's breathing and the amount of available oxygen.
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