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Synonyms

jettison

American  
[jet-uh-suhn, -zuhn] / ˈdʒɛt ə sən, -zən /

verb (used with object)

  1. to cast (goods) overboard in order to lighten a vessel or aircraft or to improve its stability in an emergency.

  2. to throw off (something) as an obstacle or burden; discard.

  3. Cards. to discard (an unwanted card or cards).


noun

  1. the act of casting goods from a vessel or aircraft to lighten or stabilize it.

  2. jetsam.

jettison British  
/ ˈdʒɛtɪsən, -zən /

verb

  1. to throw away; abandon

    to jettison old clothes

  2. to throw overboard

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. another word for jetsam

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • jettisonable adjective

Etymology

Origin of jettison

1375–1425; late Middle English jetteson < Anglo-French; Old French getaison ≪ Latin jactātiōn- (stem of jactātiō ) jactation

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ultimately, Franco jettisons his characters for the sake of unearned plot twists that leave the viewer feeling only icky.

From Los Angeles Times

Yixander Diaz jettisoned both his ride and his work when the father of two, a taxi driver, turned to bricklaying.

From Barron's

Richards did tell Lindo that he needed to jettison some of the neurotic choices he was making as an actor.

From Los Angeles Times

The painstaking pop production that earned the song a record of the year nomination was jettisoned, with Gaga screaming the hook against a blinding array of floodlights.

From BBC

What we found could help calm some nerves, and might even stop investors from making the mistake of jettisoning the big winners too early.

From Barron's