jump (j mp)v. jumped, jump·ing, jumps v.intr.1. a. To spring off the ground or other base by a muscular effort of the legs and feet. b. To move suddenly and in one motion: jumped out of bed. c. To move involuntarily, as in surprise: jumped when the phone rang. d. To parachute from an aircraft. 2. a. Informal To move quickly; hustle: Jump when I give you an order. b. To take prompt advantage; respond quickly: jump at a bargain. 3. a. To enter eagerly into an activity; plunge: jumped into the race for the nomination. b. To begin or start. Often used with off: The project jumped off with great enthusiasm. 4. To form an opinion or judgment hastily: jump to conclusions. 5. To make a sudden verbal attack; lash out: jumped at me for being late. 6. a. To undergo a sudden and pronounced increase: Prices jumped in October. b. To rise suddenly in position or rank: jumped over two others with more seniority. 7. To move discontinuously or change after a short period: jumps from one subject to another; jumped from one job to another. 8. a. To be displaced by a sudden jerk: The phonograph needle jumped. b. To be displaced vertically or laterally because of improper alignment: The film jumped during projection. 9. Computer Science To move from one set of instructions in a program to another out of sequence. 10. Games a. To move over an opponents playing piece in a board game. b. To make a jump bid in bridge. 11. Slang To be lively; bustle: a disco that really jumps. v.tr.1. To leap over or across: jump a fence. 2. To leap onto: jump a bus. 3. Slang To spring upon in sudden attack; assault or ambush: Muggers jumped him in the park. 4. To move or start prematurely before: jumped the starting signal. 5. To cause to leap: jump a horse over a fence. 6. To cause to increase suddenly: shortages that jumped milk prices by several cents. 7. To pass over; skip: The typewriter jumped a space. 8. To raise in rank or position; promote. 9. Games a. To move a piece over (an opponents piece) in a board game, often thereby capturing the opponents piece. b. To raise (a partners bid) in bridge by more than is necessary. 10. To jump-start (a motor vehicle). 11. To leave (a course), especially through mishap: The train jumped the rails. 12. Slang a. To leave hastily; skip: jumped town a step ahead of the police. b. To leave (an organization, for example) suddenly or in violation of an agreement: jumped the team and signed with a rival club. 13. To seize or occupy illegally: jump a mining claim. 14. To forfeit (bail) by failing to appear in court. 15. Vulgar Slang To have sexual intercourse with. n.1. a. The act of jumping; a leap. b. The distance covered by a jump: a jump of seven feet. c. An obstacle or span to be jumped. d. A structure or course from which a jump is made: built a jump out of snow. 2. A descent from an aircraft by parachute. 3. Sports Any of several track-and-field events in which contestants jump. 4. Informal a. An initial competitive advantage; a head start: got the jump on the other newspapers. b. Energy or quickness: We got off to a slow start. We didnt have any jump, and when we did get things going, we were too far behind (John LeClair). 5. a. A sudden pronounced rise, as in price or salary. b. An impressive promotion. 6. A step or level: managed to stay a jump ahead. 7. A sudden or major transition, as from one career or subject to another. 8. a. A short trip. b. One in a series of moves and stopovers, as with a circus or road show. 9. Games A move in a board game over an opponents piece. 10. Computer Science A movement from one set of instructions to another. 11. a. An involuntary nervous movement; a start. b. jumps A condition of nervousness. Often used with the. 12. A jump-start of a motor vehicle. 13. Vulgar Slang An act of sexual intercourse. Idioms: jump (someones) bones Vulgar Slang To have sexual intercourse with someone. jump the gun To start doing something too soon. jump through hoops To make extraordinary efforts, especially in following a prescribed procedure.
[Perhaps Middle English jumpen, to jump (sense uncertain).] | 
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/ n. [U] 1 (in sports) jumping out of a plane with a parachute 2 horse jumping: Some horse riding contests include jumping. 
adj.infrml. fig. lively, exciting: After the band started to play, the nightclub was a jumping place. 
