1. 1. To spring off the ground or other base by a muscular effort of the legs and feet.
   2. To move suddenly and in one motion: jumped out of bed.
   3. To move involuntarily, as in surprise: jumped when the phone rang.
   4. To parachute from an aircraft.
2. 1. Informal. To move quickly; hustle: Jump when I give you an order.
   2. To take prompt advantage; respond quickly: jump at a bargain.
3. 1. To enter eagerly into an activity; plunge: jumped into the race for the nomination.
   2. 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. 1. To undergo a sudden and pronounced increase: Prices jumped in October.
   2. 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. 1. To be displaced by a sudden jerk: The phonograph needle jumped.
   2. 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.
    1. To move over an opponent's playing piece in a board game.
    2. To make a jump bid in bridge.
11. Slang. To be lively; bustle: a disco that really jumps.

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.
   1. To move a piece over (an opponent's piece) in a board game, often thereby capturing the opponent's piece.
   2. To raise (a partner's 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.
    1. To leave hastily; skip: jumped town a step ahead of the police.
    2. 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.

1. 1. The act of jumping; a leap.
   2. The distance covered by a jump: a jump of seven feet.
   3. An obstacle or span to be jumped.
   4. 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.
   1. An initial competitive advantage; a head start: got the jump on the other newspapers.
   2. Energy or quickness: "We got off to a slow start. We didn't have any jump, and when we did get things going, we were too far behind" (John LeClair).
5. 1. A sudden pronounced rise, as in price or salary.
   2. 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. 1. A short trip.
   2. 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 opponent's piece.
10. Computer Science. A movement from one set of instructions to another.
11. 1. An involuntary nervous movement; a start.
    2. 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.

jump (someone's) bones Vulgar Slang.

1. To have sexual intercourse with someone.

1. To start doing something too soon.

1. To make extraordinary efforts, especially in following a prescribed procedure.

[Perhaps Middle English jumpen, to jump (sense uncertain).]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.