pump

Everyday

1. A pump is a machine that pushes water, air, fuel or another liquid or gas from one place to another. tree →
2. To pump is to move it with a pump: «pump up a tyre». tree →
3. Your heart is a pump that pushes blood around your body. tree →
4. Pumps are also light flat shoes (UK). tree →

In the lessons

In school maths: water or air moved at a rate (litres per minute); filling or emptying a tank; two pumps working together add their rates. In science: the heart pumps blood; pumps and pressure. In everyday life: a bike pump, a petrol pump, pumping up a football. Phrases: «pump up», «bike pump», «petrol pump», «pumped» (excited).

Examples

• A pump moves 30 litres a minute. tree →
• How long to pump 600 litres? tree →
• He pumps up 4 tyres. tree →
• Two pumps work together. tree →
• Use the bike pump to put air in the tyre. tree →
• The heart pumps blood all around the body. tree →
• Firefighters pumped water out of the flooded cellar. tree →
• We were pumped for the big game. tree →
• ‘Rubbish!’ said his wife. ‘Who can pump out the sea?’ tree →

Note

Countable: «a pump». Maths: a rate: time = amount ÷ rate; two pumps working together add their rates. Trap: change hours to minutes when the rate is per minute.