# thump

/ˈθəmp/ (US) · /θˈʌmp/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thump
Updated: 2026-06-22

## Definition

a loud, heavy sound that you hear when something hits a surface. It is often a deep, solid noise like a heart beating or a heavy object falling.

For teachers: a loud, heavy, dull sound, typically produced by a heavy object striking a surface or by a rhythmic pulse. Often used to describe the sound of a heartbeat or a heavy bass note.

## Examples

- I heard a loud thump from the basement.
- The bass thump from the neighbor's speakers was so loud that it shook the floorboards of the apartment.
- The rhythmic thump of the engine provided a steady background to the conversation, masking the occasional creak of the old wooden hull as it moved through the waves.

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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.