Pronunciation: [sˈʌmp] (IPA) 
The word "sump" is spelled with four letters and is pronounced /sʌmp/. It refers to a pit or reservoir used for collecting and draining liquids, particularly waste water. The word is of unknown origin and has been in use since the 14th century. It can also refer to the lowest part of an engine, where oil and other fluids collect. The spelling of "sump" is straightforward, with each letter contributing to the sound of the word.
A "sump" is a noun that can have multiple meanings depending on the context. In a general sense, it refers to a pit or reservoir used for collecting and containing liquids, particularly water or sewage. Typically located at a low point or the deepest part of a structure, a sump serves the purpose of draining or accumulating liquids that accumulate in a particular area.
In the context of residential buildings, a sump is commonly associated with a sump pump. This is a device used to remove accumulated water from a basement or lower level to prevent flooding. The sump pump is typically installed in the sump pit, where water is collected, and it automatically activates when the water reaches a certain level, pumping it away to a designated drainage area.
In automobile terminology, a sump refers to the lowest part of an internal combustion engine's oil circulation system. This oil sump, also called an oil pan, holds the engine oil when it is not circulating through the engine. It acts as a reservoir, ensuring that there is sufficient oil for lubrication during engine operation.
Overall, a sump is a container or reservoir designed for the collection, containment, and removal of liquids, such as water or oil, in various contexts, including residential and industrial settings, or within the machinery of automobiles and engines.
An excavation at the bottom of a mine where the water accumulates, and from which it is pumped; in salt-works, the pond into which the sea-water is pumped for future use; a round pit of stone lined with clay for receiving the metal on its first fusion.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "sump" originated from Middle English "sompe", which further derived from Old English "sūmpe" or "sīmpe". Its ultimate origin is uncertain, but it is thought to be related to Low German "somp" or Middle Dutch "sompe", meaning "marsh" or "muddy pool". This etymology suggests a connection to wet or boggy areas, which is reflected in the modern definition of a sump as a pit or reservoir for collecting liquids, typically found in engines, basements, or other drainage systems.
