jettison

/ˈʤɛtɪsən/

Other forms: jettisoned; jettisoning; jettisons

Jettison means to push to the side or toss away. If a boat is leaking or an airplane is running out of fuel, you can buy more time by jettisoning cargo, or throwing it overboard.

The word jettison — dating, in its nautical meaning, from the 15th century in English — is commonly used figuratively as well as literally. You can jettison a friendship or an attitude. During the month that the Winter Olympics are aired on TV, figure-skating fans across the country jettison homework and other responsibilities in order to watch.

Definitions of jettison

1. verb

   throw away, of something encumbering
   type of:

   cast aside, cast away, cast out, chuck out, discard, dispose, fling, put away, throw away, throw out, toss, toss away, toss out

   throw or cast away
2. verb

   throw as from an airplane
   type of:

   throw

   propel through the air