# pumping

/ˈpəmpɪŋ/ (US) · /pˈʌmpɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pumping
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. moving liquid or gas

verb · CEFR B1

moving water, air, or gas from one place to another using a machine.

For teachers: the action of moving fluids or gases via a mechanical device or biological organ.

- The machine was pumping water out of the flooded basement all night.
- The heart is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood through the entire circulatory system to sustain vital organ function.

Usage: often used with 'out', 'in', or 'through'

### 2. moving up and down

verb · CEFR B2

moving something up and down or in and out very quickly and repeatedly.

For teachers: moving a limb or object in a rhythmic, vigorous up-and-down or back-and-forth motion.

- He was pumping his fist in the air to celebrate the goal.
- The cyclist was pumping her legs furiously as she approached the final steep incline of the mountain stage.

### 3. the act of using a pump

noun · CEFR B2

the process or activity of using a pump to move something.

For teachers: the mechanical or physical act of operating a pump or performing a pumping motion.

- The loud pumping of the engine made it hard to hear the conversation.
- Continuous pumping was required to prevent the excavation site from being overwhelmed by groundwater during the rainy season.

## Examples

- The heart is pumping blood through the body.
- The construction crew spent all morning pumping water out of the flooded basement after the storm.
- As the music grew louder, the speakers were pumping out heavy bass lines that could be felt in the floorboards of the old warehouse.

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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.