Definition

1. Noun:

   • A site for depositing waste: A "dump" is a place where garbage or unwanted materials are discarded and left.
   • A storage site for supplies: In a military or industrial context, a "dump" is a place where supplies, especially ammunition, are stored.
   • A copy of stored computer data: In computing, a "dump" is a copy of the contents of a computer's memory or storage, often used for analysis.
   • (Vulgar) An act of defecation: A coarse, informal term for the act of defecating.

2. Verb:

   • To deposit or discard carelessly: To "dump" means to drop or unload something in a heap or mass, often carelessly.
   • To end a relationship abruptly: To "dump" someone means to end a personal relationship with them suddenly and unceremoniously.
   • To sell in large quantities at very low prices: In commerce, to "dump" goods means to sell a large amount of them in a market at an artificially low price.
   • To knock down forcefully: To "dump" can mean to knock someone or something down with force.
   • To fall abruptly: Something can "dump" down, meaning to fall or plunge suddenly.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The old refrigerator was taken to the city dump. (The old refrigerator was taken to the city waste site.)
  • The soldiers secured the ammunition dump. (The soldiers secured the ammunition storage site.)
  • The programmer analyzed the memory dump to find the bug. (The programmer analyzed the copy of the memory contents to find the bug.)

• Verb:

  • He dumped the box of old clothes on the floor. (He carelessly dropped the box of old clothes on the floor.)
  • She dumped her boyfriend after the argument. (She ended the relationship with her boyfriend after the argument.)
  • The company was accused of dumping cheap steel on the international market. (The company was accused of selling cheap steel on the international market at very low prices.)
  • The wrestler dumped his opponent onto the mat. (The wrestler forcefully knocked his opponent down onto the mat.)
  • The stock price dumped after the bad news. (The stock price fell abruptly after the bad news.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be down in the dumps": To feel sad or depressed.

  • He's been down in the dumps since he lost his job. (He's been feeling depressed since he lost his job.)

• "Dump truck": A large truck used for transporting and unloading loose materials like sand or gravel. (Note: This is a compound noun listed as a variant.)

• "Dumpster": A large metal container for waste. (Note: This is a proprietary name that has become a common noun, listed as a variant.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dumping (n): The act of disposing of waste or selling goods at very low prices.
  • The illegal dumping of toxic waste is a serious crime.
• Dumpster (n): A large waste container.
• Dump truck (n): A truck with a bed that can be tilted to dump its load.

Synonyms

• Noun (waste site): landfill, junkyard, tip.
• Verb (discard): discard, dispose of, unload, jettison.
• Verb (end relationship): leave, break up with, abandon.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Dump on (someone):
  • To criticize someone severely or unfairly.

    • The boss always dumps on the new employees. (The boss always criticizes the new employees unfairly.)
  • To unload one's problems or emotional burdens onto someone.

    • She dumped all her relationship problems on her best friend. (She told her best friend all her relationship problems, burdening her.)

Related Idioms

• Take a dump: (Vulgar, slang) To defecate.
  • He excused himself to go take a dump. (He excused himself to go defecate.)

Noun

1. a place where supplies can be stored
   • an ammunition dump
2. (computer science) a copy of the contents of a computer storage device; sometimes used in debugging programs
3. a piece of land where waste materials are dumped
4. a coarse term for defecation
   • he took a shit

Verb

1. knock down with force
   • He decked his opponent
2. fall abruptly
   • It plunged to the bottom of the well
3. drop (stuff) in a heap or mass
   • The truck dumped the garbage in the street
4. sell at artificially low prices
5. sever all ties with, usually unceremoniously or irresponsibly
   • The company dumped him after many years of service
   • She dumped her boyfriend when she fell in love with a rich man
6. throw away as refuse
   • No dumping in these woods!