jump

1 of 3

verb

jumped; jumping; jumps

intransitive verb

1
a
: to spring into the air : leap
especially : to spring free from the ground or other base by the muscular action of feet and legs
b
: to move suddenly or involuntarily : start
c
: to move energetically : hustle
d
: to start out or forward : begin
usually used with off
jump off to a big lead
e
: to move over a position occupied by an opponent's piece in a board game often thereby capturing the piece
f
: to undergo a vertical or lateral displacement owing to improper alignment of the film on a projector mechanism
g
: to go from one sequence of instructions in a computer program to another
2
a
: to move haphazardly or irregularly : shift abruptly
jumped from job to job
b
: to undergo a sudden sharp change in value
prices jumped
c
: to make a hurried judgment
jump to conclusions
d
: to show eagerness
jumped at the chance
e
: to enter eagerly
jump on the bandwagon
f
: to change or abandon employment especially in violation of contract
g
: to rise suddenly in rank or status
h
: to make a jump in bridge
3
: to make a sudden physical or verbal attack
jumped on him for his criticism
4
: to bustle with activity
the restaurant was jumping
5

transitive verb

1
a
: to leap over
jump a hurdle
b
: to leap aboard
jump a freight
c
: to act, move, or begin before (something, such as a signal)
jump the green light
d
: to move over (a piece) in a board game
2
a
: to escape from : avoid
b
: to leave hastily or in violation of contract
jump town without paying their billsHamilton Basso
c
: to depart from (a normal course)
jump the track
3
a
: to make a sudden physical or verbal attack on
b
: to occupy illegally
jump a mining claim
4
a(1)
: to cause to leap
(2)
: to cause (game) to break cover : start, flush
b
: to increase suddenly and sharply
c
: to elevate in rank or status
d
: to raise (a bridge partner's bid) by more than one rank
5
obsolete : risk, hazard

jump

2 of 3

noun

1
a(1)
: an act of jumping : leap
(2)
: any of several sports competitions featuring a leap, spring, or bound
(3)
: a leap in figure skating in which the skater leaves the ice with both feet and turns in the air
(4)
: a space cleared or covered by a leap
(5)
: an obstacle to be jumped over or from
b
: a sudden involuntary movement : start
c
: a move made in a board game by jumping
d
: a transfer from one sequence of instructions in a computer program to a different sequence
2
: an advantage at the start
getting the jump on the competition
3
a(1)
: a sharp sudden increase
(2)
: a bid in bridge of more tricks than are necessary to overcall the preceding bid compare shift
b
: an abrupt change or transition
c(1)
: a quick short journey
(2)
: one in a series of moves from one place to another
d
: the portion of a published item (such as a newspaper article or story) that comprises the continuation of an item that begins on a preceding page
4
: jazz music with a fast tempo
5
obsolete : venture

jump

3 of 3

adverb

obsolete
Phrases
jump bail
: to abscond after being released from prison on bail
jump ship
1
: to leave the company of a ship without authority
2
: to desert a cause or party especially abruptly
jump the gun
1
: to start in a race before the starting signal
2
: to act, move, or begin something before the proper time
jump the queue
British : to advance directly to or as if to the head of a line
jump the shark
: to undergo a significant change for the worse that marks the point at which a period of success ends (as for a TV series)

Did you know?

Where did jump the shark come from?

When something jumps the shark it undergoes a significant change for the worse and is on a new trajectory of unrecoverable decline. The happy days of its golden age are over.

The origin of the phrase jump the shark is tucked neatly in that previous sentence: it comes from a 1977 episode of the American TV series “Happy Days” (1974–1984) in which the program's most popular character, Fonzie, jumps over a shark while waterskiing in his trademark leather jacket. Some years later that episode came to be widely identified as marking the beginning of the iconic show's decline, and its plot device became a metaphor for similar transformations:

Nearly all TV shows ever produced have jumped the shark eventually. Such is the nature of television's creative conundrum.
— Monica Collins, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2000

Most TV series take three seasons to jump the shark, but in the theater it can happen in 20 minutes …
— Bob Verini, Daily Variety, 18 Sept. 2009

But in its headlong embrace of capitalism and corporate tie-ins, “Sex and the City” may have finally jumped the shark.
— Laura Compton, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 May 2010

The phrase is no longer limited to contexts involving entertainment; anything that undergoes a significant change for the worse that marks the start of a period of decline can be said to have "jumped the shark":

Not everyone agrees when Picasso's art jumped the shark.
— Jeffry Cudlin, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2011

Silicon Valley has “jumped the shark” and lacks innovation, venture capitalist Peter Thiel says.
— Mike Murphy, MarketWatch, 1 Nov. 2018

Examples of jump in a Sentence

Verb The circus lion jumped through the hoop. The fans were jumping up and down with excitement. Everyone was jumping for joy when we found out that we had won an award. The cat jumped down off the table. The runner jumped a hurdle. The car jumped the curb. Everyone jumped into the pool. He jumped into his truck and drove away. She jumped when she heard a loud knock late at night. She jumped to an early lead in the race. Noun The horse took the first jump easily but balked at the second. took a small jump forward to avoid stepping in the puddle
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Industrial output jumped 7% during the first two months of this year from the same period in 2023, beating the 5% growth forecast in the Reuters poll. Laura He, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 Cass’ grandfather, Harry Warner, was the eldest Warner brother, a Polish immigrant who co-founded the studio in 1923 after jumping into the early days of movie mania in 1905 with brothers Sam, Albert and Jack. Chris Yogerst, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024 After a media gauntlet with local and national interviews, Gottlieb said her coaches would jump straight into scouting the Islanders. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 In fan footage of the performance posted on X (formerly Twitter), North could be seen walking to the center of the stage and then jumping around with her friends in a circle while her rapper dad, 46, stood to the side. Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024 Last year, the percentage of home listings that had their asking price lowered jumped to 18.9% in October, as the average rate on a 30-year mortgage surged to a 23-year high of 7.79%, according to Freddie Mac. CBS News, 15 Mar. 2024 Whether your child swims competitively or just loves jumping into the pool for occasional summer fun, goggles can help protect their eyes from chlorine and UV rays. Ambrosia V. Brody, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 Krell jumped to an early lead, nabbing about 28% of initial ballots. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 Kids can run and jump while holding it (and even carry it upside down) without spilling a drop. Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024
Noun
By the ‘80s, the X-Men topped Marvel comic book sales, but hadn’t made the jump to other media. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Half empty: Can Matsui (Japan) and Go (South Korea) make the jump to the major leagues? Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 That’s a considerable jump over the current Turbo S E-Hybrid’s 31 miles of range, and could make for an emission-free commute. Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 The average ticket price last year was $131, up 23 percent from 2022, which accounts for some of the jump. New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The Sacramento Bee reported last summer that Belinda Stronach has joined Republic FC owner and chairman Kevin Nagle to help make a new stadium happen, along with reviving the bid to make the jump to MLS. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 The player who made the biggest jump, in Callis’ eyes, was shortstop Fabian Lopez, who signed with the Marlins in January 2023. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 American consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud last year, a huge jump from $3.5 billion just three years earlier, according to the FTC. John Kell, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 From the jump with Memento, Nolan’s work has been, and will continue to be, a defining standard of excellence in filmmaking. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jump.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably akin to Low German gumpen to jump

First Known Use

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adverb

1539, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jump was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near jump

Cite this Entry

“Jump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

jump

1 of 2 verb
1
a
: to spring into the air : leap
b
: to give a sudden movement : start
c
: to begin to move
usually used with off
2
: to rise or raise suddenly in rank, status, or condition
prices jumped
3
: to make a sudden attack
jumped on us for being late
4
: to become lively with activity
the woods were jumping
5
a
: to pass over or cause to pass over by a leap
jump a hurdle
b
: bypass entry 2
jump electrical connections
c
: to leap aboard
jump a freight
6
: to run away and hide while at liberty under (bail)
7
: to depart from a normal course
jump the track
8
: to occupy illegally
jump a mining claim

jump

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: an act of jumping : leap
b
: any of several sports competitions that involve jumping
c
: a space covered by a leap
d
: a sudden involuntary movement : start
e
: a move made in a board game by jumping
2
a
: a sharp sudden increase
b
: one in a series of moves
keep one jump ahead
3
: an advantage at the start

More from Merriam-Webster on jump

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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