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sump pump

sump pump

3 4.0
A pump that removes water from a low area like a basement
  • noun
  • /sʌmp pʌmp/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bomba de sumidero
  • The HVAC guy got the sump pump working and got most of the water out.
  • immersion sump pump
  • vertical sump pump

And in New England, everyone, it's notorious that you have a sump pump in your basement.

Examples

  • If you have a sump pump for your basement, get it ready.

    Blog text (5)
  • And in New England, everyone, it's notorious that you have a sump pump in your basement.

  • And there is a sump pump under there and an emergency exit that comes out there.

    Blog text (13)
  • Check your sump pump in your basement, and make sure it's operating.

    Blog text (33)
  • Get a backup battery and generator for your sump pump.

    Blog text (29)
  • I already hooked up the sump pump in the basement just in case the trap can't handle the rain.

    Blog text (5)
  • A neighborhood of Red Hook, Brooklyn, residents along the streets closest to New York Harbor were checking sump pumps in their basements and piling sandbags against exterior doors.

    Blog text (33)
  • To prevent flooding in her basement, she installed a sump pump that automatically removes excess water.

  • If heavy rain is expected, it is wise to ensure that your sump pump is functioning properly to safeguard your home.

  • The sump pump activated when the water level in the pit rose too high, keeping the area dry and safe.

Synonyms

pump
vssump pump
266 2.1

A machine that moves water or air to another place

is a specific device for removing basin water to prevent flooding
suction pump
vssump pump
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A machine that pulls water up by removing some air above it

is about pumping basin water out for flood prevention rather than vacuum lifting
lift pump
vssump pump
  • Specialized
5.6

A machine that moves water from a lower place to a higher place

is used specifically to remove basin water to prevent basement flooding
submersible groundwater pump
vssump pump
  • Specialized
5.3

A machine placed under water to move water up from a well

is meant to remove water from low indoor basins to avoid floods
force pump
vssump pump
  • Specialized
6.7

A machine that pushes water up and out under pressure

is focused on removing standing basin water rather than high pressure discharge
groundwater pump
vssump pump
  • Specialized
3.9

A machine that brings water up from underground

is aimed at clearing collected basin water to stop basement flooding

Surface Forms

sump pump singular
sump pumps plural

Morphology

sump + pump

The compound is directly compositional: a 'sump pump' is simply a pump used with a sump (a basin that collects liquids). Even though 'sump' is somewhat technical, if a B1 learner knows both constituent words they can readily infer the device's purpose; the noun+device pattern is common cross-linguistically.

Etymology

The name sump pump comes from a simple picture: a sump is a low pit where water collects and a pump moves the water out. So a sump pump is literally a pump that removes water from a low place, which is why the term means 'a pump used to prevent flooding in basements'.