Definition of bump verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

bump

verb

bʌmp

bʌmp

1 [intransitive] to hit somebody/something by accidentbump into somebody/something In the dark I bumped into a chair.bump against somebody/something The car bumped against the kerb.2 [transitive] bump something (against/on something) to hit something, especially a part of your body, against or on somethingBe careful not to bump your head on the beam when you stand up.3 [intransitive, transitive] to move across a rough surface+ adverb/preposition The jeep bumped along the dirt track.bump something + adverb/preposition The car bumped its way slowly down the drive.She entered the subway, bumping her bags down the steps.4 [transitive] bump somebody + adverb/preposition to move somebody from one group or position to another; to remove somebody from a groupThe airline apologized and bumped us up to first class.If you are bumped off an airline because of overbooking, you are entitled to compensation.The coach told him he had been bumped from the crew.

Phrasal verbs

bump into somebody

(informal) to meet somebody by chanceI bumped into Simon this morning.

bump somebody off

(informal) to murder somebody

bump something up

(informal) to increase or raise somethingThey bump up their prices in the summer months.We've bumped up the connection speed to make downloading much faster.

bump up against something

to experience a problem or factor that you did not expectWe kept bumping up against inflexible regulations.

Usage note: hitknock bang strike bump bashThese words all mean to come against something with a lot of force.hit to come against something with force, especially causing damage or injury: The boy was hit by a speeding car.knock to hit something so that it moves or breaks; to put somebody/something into a particular state or position by hitting them/it: Someone had knocked a hole in the wall.bang to hit something in a way that makes a loud noise: The baby was banging the table with his spoon.strike (formal) to hit somebody/something hard: The ship struck a rock.bump to hit somebody/something accidentally: In the darkness I bumped into a chair.bash (informal) to hit against something very hard: I braked too late, bashing into the car in front.to hit/knock/bang/bump/bash against somebody/somethingto knock/bang/bump/bash into somebody/somethingto hit/strike the ground/floor/wall