What does jettisoning mean?
Jettisoning is the act of deliberately throwing cargo, equipment, or other material overboard from a ship or aircraft, often to preserve safety during an emergency. The word can also describe the abandonment of a plan, product, expense, or other resource that is no longer useful or sustainable. Its strong maritime and aviation associations make it especially vivid when a crew must sacrifice something valuable to protect people or the vehicle. In ordinary business and institutional contexts, jettisoning a project may sound severe or ruthless, emphasizing that the decision is final and driven by necessity. Although the word is sometimes treated as chiefly a maritime term, it is well established in modern English across these literal and figurative uses.
verbTo throw or cast something overboard, especially cargo or equipment from a ship or aircraft. It can also mean to abandon or discard something regarded as useless or burdensome.
- To throw or cast overboard, especially cargo or equipment from a ship or aircraft.
- To abandon or discard something, especially something considered useless, costly, or burdensome.
"The crew jettisoned the damaged equipment before the aircraft descended."
"The vessel jettisoned several containers to stabilize itself during the storm."
"The company was forced to jettison its expansion plans when funding fell through."
From throwing unwanted cargo overboard to abandoning a project that no longer earns its keep, jettisoning carries the drama of getting rid of something under pressure.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jettisoning come from?
The word comes through French jettison, from an Old French word meaning “a casting or throwing of goods overboard.” Its development is associated with the practice of casting unwanted cargo from a vessel to lighten it or keep it afloat. Modern English extended the term beyond ships to aircraft, vehicles, and figurative situations involving the deliberate abandonment of burdensome resources.
Related word forms
How jettisoning is actually used
The term is formal and often describes a deliberate emergency or operational action. In general figurative use, it implies getting rid of something for strategic or practical reasons rather than merely disliking it.
Easily confused with jettisoning
Jetison is a misspelling; the correct spelling is jettison.