Pump into Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Physical Movement Indicates actual movement of a substance or element, often with the help of a machine. The fire brigade pumped foam into the burning building. Pro Tip 2/3Literal Use Used in contexts where there's a direct, literal intake or transfer of material. Farmers pump water into irrigation channels. Pro Tip 3/3Visualize the Action Imagine the action of a pump to transfer fluid to understand its physical usage in different contexts. They had to pump air into the collapsed lung.