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Definition of thompson

thompson

/ˈtɑːm.psən/
Thomp · son
Plural:Thompsons
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thompson Lexical Profile

• noun

1

An English and Scottish patronymic surname meaning 'son of Thom', derived from a diminutive of Thomas.

Example

"Dr. Thompson delivered the keynote address at the international medical conference."

2

American An American submachine gun invented by John T. Thompson in 1918, notable for its historical association with both law enforcement and organized crime during the Prohibition era.

Example

"The historical museum's prohibition exhibit featured a meticulously restored 1928 Thompson alongside period photographs of federal agents."

3

Canadian The largest tributary of the Fraser River, located in the south-central region of British Columbia, Canada.

Synonyms
View all synonyms for thompson

• Nearby Words

thistledown
thither
thlaspi
thompson
thomson
thomson's gazelle
thomsons falls

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from a Middle English patronymic meaning 'son of Thom' (a diminutive of Thomas). The 'p' is an epenthetic consonant that naturally developed in pronunciation between the bilabial 'm' and the alveolar 's'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Thompson. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/thompson
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