bump

Bump is a term with multiple related meanings in English, used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes a small raised lump or protuberance on a surface or body, such as a skin bump or a bump on the road. As a verb, bump can mean to strike something lightly, to collide with something, or to cause something to move to a higher position or earlier time or priority.

In everyday life, bumps occur in many forms. A bump on the head can result from a fall, and people may bump into others in crowded spaces. Bumps on the skin can arise from irritation, insect bites, or medical conditions, while terrain may have bumps that affect movement or travel.

In road and vehicle contexts, a speed bump is a traffic-calming device that raises a road surface to slow vehicles. A bump in pavement is a small irregularity that can be felt while driving. The term bumper refers to a separate vehicle part designed to absorb impact in a collision.

In online and software usage, bumping a thread means posting to move it back to the top of a list for renewed visibility. A version bump or build bump is the practice of increasing the software’s version number after changes.

Other uses include the baby bump, a colloquial term for a visible pregnant belly. In locksmithing, bump keys describe a technique used to bypass some pin-tumbler locks; discussions of this method are typically limited to safety or legal contexts.