Pronunciation: [skˈiː d͡ʒˈʌmp] (IPA) 
The spelling of "ski jump" may seem a bit confusing due to the silent "k" at the end of "ski" and the silent "j" in "jump". However, the word can be easily understood by using IPA phonetic transcription. "Ski" is pronounced as /ski/ with the "k" being silent. "Jump" is pronounced as /dʒʌmp/ with the "j" being silent. Therefore, "ski jump" is spelled with a silent "k" and a silent "j" to accurately represent its pronunciation.
A ski jump refers to both a specific winter sport discipline and the structure designed for it. As a sport, ski jumping involves skiers propelling themselves down a specially constructed ramp or track, known as the "inrun," and then launching themselves into the air off a large and steeply sloped jump specially designed for the purpose. Ski jumpers aim to achieve the longest and most graceful flight possible before landing. Ski jumping is usually practiced on snow-covered slopes or hills and is considered one of the most exciting and high-flying disciplines within the realm of winter sports.
In terms of its structural definition, a ski jump is a man-made construction used for ski jumping competitions. It generally consists of three critical elements: the inrun, the take-off ramp, and the landing area. The inrun is the path leading to the jump, usually made of compacted snow or ice, which allows the skier to gather speed. The take-off ramp is the point where the skier launches into the air, typically equipped with a metal plate to increase safety. Finally, the landing area is located after the jump, with an inclined slope and prepared snow or artificial turf to ensure a safe and controlled descent. Ski jumps vary in size and are measured by the distance from the take-off ramp to the point where the skier lands.
The word "ski jump" comes from the combination of "ski" and "jump".
The term "ski" can be traced back to the Old Norse word "skíð", which meant a stick of wood. It later evolved into the Old Swedish word "skidh", referring to a long wooden board used for traveling over snow. From there, it entered various other languages, including Norwegian and Danish, as "ski".
The word "jump" originated from the Old French word "jumeler", meaning "to join". Over time, it evolved to encompass the sense of leaping or springing off the ground. It entered the English language in the 14th century as "jumpe" and eventually became "jump".
Combining "ski" and "jump" resulted in the term "ski jump", which refers to the sport and activity of jumping off a specially designed ramp or hill on skis.
