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dump

v. · n.
US //ˈdəmp// UK //dˈʌmp// dump
  1. 1 to discard or throw away (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to get rid of something you do not want, especially by leaving it in a place where you should not.

    to discard or dispose of unwanted material, often in an unregulated or careless manner.

    Example

    Someone had dumped an old sofa in the middle of the forest.

    Example

    The factory was caught dumping toxic chemicals into the river, leading to a massive fine from the environmental agency.
  2. 2 to end a relationship (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to suddenly end a romantic relationship with someone.

    to abruptly terminate a romantic relationship, typically without much warning or sensitivity.

    Example

    She was devastated when her boyfriend dumped her over a text message.

    Example

    After three years of dating, he decided to dump her just weeks before they were supposed to move in together.
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  1. 3 to put down heavily (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to put something down quickly and without being careful.

    to drop or let fall in a heavy, careless, or sudden mass.

    Example

    He walked into the house and dumped his heavy bags on the kitchen table.

    Example

    The delivery driver dumped the heavy crates on the pavement and drove off before I could check the contents.
  2. 4 to copy data (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    to move or copy a large amount of information from one computer system to another.

    to transfer a large volume of data from one storage medium to another, often for diagnostic or archival purposes.

    Example

    The technician had to dump the server logs to find out why the system crashed.

    Example

    The software automatically dumps the contents of the memory to a file whenever a critical error occurs.
  3. 5 a rubbish site (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a place where rubbish from a town or city is taken and left.

    a site for depositing garbage or waste material.

    Example

    We took all our old broken furniture to the local dump.

    Example

    The city council is looking for a new location for the municipal dump as the current site is nearly full.
  4. 6 an unpleasant place (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a place that is very dirty, untidy, or unpleasant to be in.

    a derogatory term for a place perceived as dirty, dilapidated, or lacking in amenities.

    Example

    I can't believe they live here; this apartment is a total dump.

    Example

    The hotel looked great in the photos, but in reality, it was a complete dump with peeling wallpaper and stained carpets.
  5. 7 a collection of data or photos (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Slang

    a large group of items, like photos or information, shared all at once.

    a large, often unorganised collection of digital content shared in a single instance.

    Example

    She posted a photo dump of her summer holiday on Instagram.

    Example

    The whistleblower released a massive data dump containing thousands of internal emails from the corporation.
  6. 8 toilet use (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang Vulgar

    a very informal and slightly rude way to talk about going to the toilet.

    a slang or euphemistic term for the act of defecation.

    Example

    The dog needs to go outside to take a dump.

    Example

    He made a crude joke about needing to take a dump right before the meeting started.

  7. 9 feeling sad (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    the feeling of being sad or unhappy.

    a state of low spirits or mild depression; almost exclusively used in the plural 'the dumps'.

    Example

    He's been a bit down in the dumps since he lost his job.

    Example

    The team has been down in the dumps ever since their star player was sidelined with a season-ending injury.

    Usage

    Almost always used in the phrase 'down in the dumps'.
Etymology 1

From Middle English dumpen, dompen, probably from Old Norse dumpa (“to thump”) (whence Danish dumpe (“to fall suddenly”)), of uncertain origin, possibly imitative of falling, similar to thump.

Etymology 2

See dumpling.

Etymology 3

Cognate with Scots dump (“hole in the ground”), Norwegian dump (“a depression or hole in the ground”), German Low German dumpen (“to submerge”), Dutch dompen (“to dip, sink, submerge”).

Idioms1 entry

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