Bumper

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈbÊŒmpÉ™(ɹ)/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒmpÉ™(ɹ)

Origin

From {1} + -er.

Full definition of bumper

Noun

1. (obsolete) A drinking vessel filled to the brim.
• 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society 1973, p. 443:they now shook hands heartily, and drank bumpers of strong beer to healths which we think proper to bury in oblivion.
• 1859, Dickens, A tale of two cities,Sydney Carton drank the punch at a great rate; drank it by bumpers, looking at his friend.
2. (colloquial) Anything large or successful (now usually attributively).
3. (automotive) Parts at the front and back of a vehicle which are meant to absorb the impact of a collision; fender
4. Any mechanical device used to absorb an impact, soften a collision, or protect against impact
• The company sells screw-on rubber bumpers and feet.
5. Someone or something that bumps.
6. (cricket) A bouncer.
7. (billiards) A side wall of a pool table.
8. (broadcasting) A short ditty or jingle used to separate a show from the advertisements.
9. (slang, dated) A covered house at a theatre, etc., in honour of some favourite performer.

Adjective

1. (colloquial) Large; filled to the bumpers at the top of a silo.We harvested a bumper crop of arugula and parsnips this year.