The word "jettison" attracts attention because it is rarely heard in everyday conversation. Although it may sound formal at first, its meaning is fairly straightforward and remains widely relevant in modern English. It is often used when something needs to be discarded, abandoned, or left behind—whether that involves physical objects, outdated ideas, unsuccessful plans, or unnecessary burdens. The word carries a sense of deliberate removal, usually because keeping something has become impractical, undesirable, or counterproductive. This combination of precision and imagery has helped "jettison" remain a useful part of the English language for centuries.
What does jettison mean?
Jettison means to throw away, abandon, or get rid of something that is no longer useful, necessary, or desirable. The word can be used literally for objects or figuratively for plans, policies, beliefs, or responsibilities.
Pronunciation of the word jettison
Pronounced: Jet-ih-suhn
Phonetic spelling: /ˈdʒet.ɪ.sən/
The stress falls on the first syllable "JET".
Origin of the word jettison
The word jettison comes from the Old French term getaison, meaning the act of throwing goods overboard from a ship. It entered English during the fifteenth century and was originally used in maritime law to describe cargo deliberately discarded to lighten a vessel during emergencies. As the language evolved, the meaning expanded beyond shipping and became widely used in figurative contexts. Today, jettison commonly refers to abandoning ideas, strategies, commitments, or possessions that are seen as burdensome or no longer beneficial.
How to use jettison in a sentence
- The company decided to jettison several unprofitable projects.
- The captain ordered part of the cargo to be jettisoned during the storm.
- She chose to jettison old assumptions and approach the problem differently.
- The political party attempted to jettison policies that had become unpopular with voters.
Synonyms of jettison
- Discard
- Abandon
- Dump
- Reject
Antonyms of jettison
- Keep
- Retain
- Preserve
- Maintain
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