bilge pump

noun

: a pump used to clear bilge water

The 20-foot bass fishing boat was swamped by a wave that came over the stern and overwhelmed the bilge pump …

—Toledo Blade, 3 June 2011

Most kayakers in the United States still rely on the ubiquitous cylindrical plastic bilge pump. These are simple and reliable, and move a lot of water.

—Jonathan Hanson, Complete Sea Kayak Touring, 2006

Word History

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined above

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