hump

Hump is a word with several related meanings in English, most commonly as a noun describing a rounded protuberance on a surface or on the body. It can also be a verb meaning to form or carry a projection, or to move with a hunched back. The term is used in various contexts, from anatomy to everyday language.

In animals, a hump often refers to a fat storage organ, as in camels. A camel's hump stores fat that can be metabolized when food is scarce; contrary to popular belief, it does not store water. Dromedaries have a single hump, Bactrian camels two.

In humans, a hump can describe a spinal deformity or a protrusion on the back, such as a humpback or kyphosis. It may result from posture, disease, or skeletal conditions and can vary in size and location. In some contexts, a growth or swelling can be colloquially called a hump.

The word also appears in everyday usage and in references to physical features, such as a speed hump on roads to slow traffic. In slang, to hump can refer to sexual intercourse, though this usage is informal and often considered vulgar.