jumbo

noun

jum·​bo ˈjəm-(ˌ)bō How to pronounce jumbo (audio)
plural jumbos
Synonyms of jumbonext
: a very large specimen of its kind
jumbo adjective

Synonyms of jumbo

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Examples of jumbo in a Sentence

the winner in the contest for biggest pumpkin was a jumbo that weighed in at over a thousand pounds
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But go in expecting fewer of the big, picture-perfect jumbos, more size substitutions, and prices that stay elevated straight through the holidays; this year's crop doesn't finish shipping until harvest wraps in November. — Phil Lempert, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 The baseball-size crabcake arrives at your table, its jumbo lumps glistening and broiled to a gentle golden brown. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 Lomu, meanwhile, has taken some snaps with the first-team offense, both giving Moses a break at right tackle and as a jumbo tight end in short-yardage packages. — Chad Graff, New York Times, 30 July 2026 Lomu has seen his jumbo tight end snaps decline sharply in recent practices, perhaps a reflection of the staff’s confidence in Arkin. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for jumbo

Word History

Etymology

Jumbo, a huge elephant exhibited by P. T. Barnum

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jumbo was in 1883

Phrases Containing jumbo

Rhymes for jumbo

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Browse Nearby Words

jumbly
jumbo
jumboism
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Cite this Entry

“Jumbo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jumbo. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

jumbo

noun
jum·​bo ˈjəm-bō How to pronounce jumbo (audio)
plural jumbos
: something very large of its kind
jumbo adjective
Etymology

from Jumbo, name of a huge elephant shown by circus owner P. T. Barnum

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