English Explanatory Dictionary

sump

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A hollow or pit into which liquid drains, such as a cesspool, cesspit or sink.
  2. The lowest part of a mineshaft into which water drains.
  3. A completely flooded cave passage, sometimes passable by diving.
  4. The crankcase or oil reservoir of an internal combustion engine.
  5. The pit at the lowest point in a circulating or drainage system (FM 55-501).
  6. An intentional depression around a drain or scupper that promotes drainage.
  7. A sudden or heavy fall of rain; a deluge.
verb
  1. Of a cave passage, to end in a sump, or to fill completely with water on occasion.

Pronunciation

/sʌmp/ en-us-sump.ogg

Word forms

sump sumps sumph sumping sumped

Etymology

From Middle English sompe, either from Middle Dutch somp, sump or Middle Low German sump from Old Saxon *sump, from Proto-West Germanic *sump, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *sumpaz. Doublet of swamp.

Derived words

dry sump sumpless sumplike sumpman sump oil sump pit sump pump sump tank sumpweed sumpy wet sump
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