BUMPER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does bumper mean? 

• BUMPER (noun)
  The noun BUMPER has 2 senses:

1. a glass filled to the brim (especially as a toast)

2. a mechanical device consisting of bars at either end of a vehicle to absorb shock and prevent serious damage

  Familiarity information: BUMPER used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BUMPER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A glass filled to the brim (especially as a toast)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

we quaffed a bumper of ale

Hypernyms ("bumper" is a kind of...):

drinking glass; glass (a container made of glass for holding liquids while drinking)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A mechanical device consisting of bars at either end of a vehicle to absorb shock and prevent serious damage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("bumper" is a kind of...):

mechanical device (mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles)

Meronyms (parts of "bumper"):

bumper guard (vertical bars attached to a bumper to prevent locking bumpers with another vehicle)

Holonyms ("bumper" is a part of...):

auto; automobile; car; machine; motorcar (a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine)

motortruck; truck (an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling)

Derivation:

bump (knock against with force or violence)

 Context examples 

I begged Mr. Micawber to fill us bumpers, and proposed the toast in due form: shaking hands with him across the table, and kissing Mrs. Micawber, to commemorate that eventful occasion.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Like dents in a bumper, we can see the damage by looking for ghostly trails of dust extending outward from the disk, showing that another galaxy might have passed through, dragging dust from our galaxy along for the ride.

(All we are is dust in the interstellar wind, NSF)

“Come, fellow-partner!” said Uriah, at last, “I'll give you another one, and I umbly ask for bumpers, seeing I intend to make it the divinest of her sex.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)