# dump /ˈdəmp/ (US) · /dˈʌmp/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dump Updated: 2026-06-19 ## Senses ### 1. to discard or throw away verb · CEFR B1 to get rid of something you do not want, especially by leaving it in a place where you should not. For teachers: to discard or dispose of unwanted material, often in an unregulated or careless manner. - Someone had dumped an old sofa in the middle of the forest. - The factory was caught dumping toxic chemicals into the river, leading to a massive fine from the environmental agency. ### 2. to end a relationship verb · CEFR B2 · Informal to suddenly end a romantic relationship with someone. For teachers: to abruptly terminate a romantic relationship, typically without much warning or sensitivity. - She was devastated when her boyfriend dumped her over a text message. - After three years of dating, he decided to dump her just weeks before they were supposed to move in together. ### 3. to put down heavily verb · CEFR B2 to put something down quickly and without being careful. For teachers: to drop or let fall in a heavy, careless, or sudden mass. - He walked into the house and dumped his heavy bags on the kitchen table. - The delivery driver dumped the heavy crates on the pavement and drove off before I could check the contents. ### 4. to copy data verb · CEFR C1 · Technical to move or copy a large amount of information from one computer system to another. For teachers: to transfer a large volume of data from one storage medium to another, often for diagnostic or archival purposes. - The technician had to dump the server logs to find out why the system crashed. - The software automatically dumps the contents of the memory to a file whenever a critical error occurs. ### 5. a rubbish site noun · CEFR B1 a place where rubbish from a town or city is taken and left. For teachers: a site for depositing garbage or waste material. - We took all our old broken furniture to the local dump. - The city council is looking for a new location for the municipal dump as the current site is nearly full. ### 6. an unpleasant place noun · CEFR B2 · Informal a place that is very dirty, untidy, or unpleasant to be in. For teachers: a derogatory term for a place perceived as dirty, dilapidated, or lacking in amenities. - I can't believe they live here; this apartment is a total dump. - The hotel looked great in the photos, but in reality, it was a complete dump with peeling wallpaper and stained carpets. ### 7. a collection of data or photos noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang a large group of items, like photos or information, shared all at once. For teachers: a large, often unorganised collection of digital content shared in a single instance. - She posted a photo dump of her summer holiday on Instagram. - The whistleblower released a massive data dump containing thousands of internal emails from the corporation. ### 8. toilet use noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang · Vulgar a very informal and slightly rude way to talk about going to the toilet. For teachers: a slang or euphemistic term for the act of defecation. - The dog needs to go outside to take a dump. - He made a crude joke about needing to take a dump right before the meeting started. ### 9. feeling sad noun · CEFR B2 · Informal the feeling of being sad or unhappy. For teachers: a state of low spirits or mild depression; almost exclusively used in the plural 'the dumps'. - He's been a bit down in the dumps since he lost his job. - 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'. ## Examples - We took the old sofa to the city dump. - I cannot believe he pays so much rent for that apartment; it is a total dump. - The local council faced significant public backlash after proposing a new chemical dump within five miles of the protected wetlands. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.