1
: a sharp blow or knock
2
a
: a sharp rebuke or criticism
b
: a negative and often undeserved reputation or charge
—often used with bum or bad
given a bum rap by the press
3
a
: the responsibility for or adverse consequences of an action
refused to take the rap
b
: a criminal charge
c
: a prison sentence
rapped; rapping; raps
1
: to strike with a sharp blow
2
: to utter suddenly and forcibly
3
: to cause to be or come by raps
rap the meeting to order
4
: to criticize sharply
rapped also rapt
ˈrapt 
; rapping; raps
; rapping; raps
: a minimum amount or degree (as of care or consideration) : the least bit
doesn't care a rap
1
: talk, conversation
also
: a line of talk : patter
2
a
or rap music
: a type of music of African American origin in which rhythmic and usually rhyming speech is chanted to a musical accompaniment
enjoys listening to rap
—often used before another nounrap music
a rap album/artist/song
b
: a rap song
… the group mixes its usual raunch with mock news reports and anti-censorship raps …—
Jon Pareles
Jon Pareles
rapped; rapping; raps
1
intransitive
: to talk freely and frankly
… at a party rapping with a guy about music you love …—Lisa Lombardi
Lisa Lombardi2
transitive + intransitive
: to perform rap music
Does it feel strange to rap solo after being part of a big group like Harlem Spartans?—Kyann-Sian Williams
Kyann-Sian WilliamsShe [Cardi B] encouraged the crowd while her husband [Offset] rapped his verse before she returned the favour and finished the song.—Jonathan Landrum Jr.
Jonathan Landrum Jr.Synonyms
Noun (1)
Verb (1)
- bang
- bash
- bat
- belt
- biff
- bludgeon
- bob
- bonk
- bop
- box
- bust
- clap
- clip
- clobber
- clock
- clout
- crack
- hammer
- hit
- knock
- nail
- paste
- pound
- punch
- slam
- slap
- slog
- slug
- smack
- smite
- sock
- strike
- swat
- swipe
- tag
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- whack
- whale
- zap
Verb (2)
Noun (2)
- beans
- bubkes
- bupkes
- bupkus
- continental
- damn
- darn
- durn
- diddly [slang]
- diddly-squat [slang]
- doodley-squat
- doodly-squat
- fig
- ghost
- hoot
- iota
- jot
- lick
- modicum
- squat [slang]
- syllable
- tittle
- whit
- whoop
Noun (3)
- backchat
- cackle
- causerie
- chat
- chatter
- chin music
- chin-wag [slang]
- chitchat
- confab
- confabulation
- gab
- gabfest
- gossip
- jangle
- jaw
- natter [chiefly British]
- palaver
- patter
- schmooze
- small talk
- table talk
- talk
- tête-à-tête
Verb (3)
Examples of rap in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebAl Shipley, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2024
In a separate event at the Troxy the same night, producer and UK rap and grime MC CASISDEAD will curate an exclusive Pitchfork London bill, performing live with an array of special guests.
—Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2024
Ye posted a picture of himself in the studio with Metro Boomin suggesting a new alliance in the ongoing battle between a generation’s worth of rap greats.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2024
In 2016, then-President Barack Obama weighed in on an issue of utmost national importance: Who would win in a rap battle between Kendrick Lamar and Drake?
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Hip hop/rap also grew its share of the vinyl market to 5.3% in 2023, led by a re-issue of De La Soul’s 1989 debut, 3 Feet High and Rising, although rock comfortably remained the biggest genre among vinyl fans with a dominant 55% share of the market.
—Richard Smirke, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
An Arkansas man accused of putting threatening lyrics in his rap music has pleaded not guilty, stating that the violence is part of his persona as a musician, authorities said.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024
By now, Nicki Minaj was one of the most famous musicians on Earth, and most of the major rap capitals seemed to be producing their own female rap stars.
—Liz Sanchez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Longtime New York radio personality DJ Mister Cee, who became a staple in hip-hop by working with rap greats like Big Daddy Kane and The Notorious B.I.G, has died, according to former workplace, HOT 97.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Louis Casiano, Fox News, 18 Apr. 2024
Imitating the attempts to draw a response from someone inside, prosecutor Smith rapped his knuckles on the jury box wall during his opening statement.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
The disses weren’t even that personal and he’s rapped too many slick lines about being the best for too many years.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
Critics hailed a scene in which Pitt raps (and gets shot by a crossbow) as one of last year’s funniest TV moments.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Smith and Balvin rapped the song together, while backup dancers dressed as aliens and a giant alien head prop added to the effect.
—Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Apr. 2024
Genres always wax and wane at the fest, with classic rock and EDM giving way to rap and pop.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024
Ramen House Ryujin, Sacramento Related Articles GOP raps Gov. Newsom as sister’s cafe seeks $16-an-hour busser while fast-food eateries must pay $20
57.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Conflict is certainly in the genre’s DNA; ever since the advent of battle rapping in the early 1980s, hip-hop’s titans have forged their reputation in the heat of lyrical warfare.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
Noun
The Hall has never welcomed more than one hip-hop artist in a year, with Tribe winning over this year’s other rap nominees, Eric B. & Rakim.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2024
In a separate event at the Troxy the same night, producer and UK rap and grime MC CASISDEAD will curate an exclusive Pitchfork London bill, performing live with an array of special guests.
—Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2024
Ye posted a picture of himself in the studio with Metro Boomin suggesting a new alliance in the ongoing battle between a generation’s worth of rap greats.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2024
In 2016, then-President Barack Obama weighed in on an issue of utmost national importance: Who would win in a rap battle between Kendrick Lamar and Drake?
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Hip hop/rap also grew its share of the vinyl market to 5.3% in 2023, led by a re-issue of De La Soul’s 1989 debut, 3 Feet High and Rising, although rock comfortably remained the biggest genre among vinyl fans with a dominant 55% share of the market.
—Richard Smirke, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
An Arkansas man accused of putting threatening lyrics in his rap music has pleaded not guilty, stating that the violence is part of his persona as a musician, authorities said.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024
By now, Nicki Minaj was one of the most famous musicians on Earth, and most of the major rap capitals seemed to be producing their own female rap stars.
—Liz Sanchez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Longtime New York radio personality DJ Mister Cee, who became a staple in hip-hop by working with rap greats like Big Daddy Kane and The Notorious B.I.G, has died, according to former workplace, HOT 97.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Verb
Young Thug achieved tremendous success after starting to rap as a teenager and serves as CEO of his own record label, Young Stoner Life, or YSL.
—Louis Casiano, Fox News, 18 Apr. 2024
Imitating the attempts to draw a response from someone inside, prosecutor Smith rapped his knuckles on the jury box wall during his opening statement.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
The disses weren’t even that personal and he’s rapped too many slick lines about being the best for too many years.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024
Critics hailed a scene in which Pitt raps (and gets shot by a crossbow) as one of last year’s funniest TV moments.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Smith and Balvin rapped the song together, while backup dancers dressed as aliens and a giant alien head prop added to the effect.
—Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Apr. 2024
Genres always wax and wane at the fest, with classic rock and EDM giving way to rap and pop.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024
Ramen House Ryujin, Sacramento Related Articles GOP raps Gov. Newsom as sister’s cafe seeks $16-an-hour busser while fast-food eateries must pay $20
57.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Conflict is certainly in the genre’s DNA; ever since the advent of battle rapping in the early 1980s, hip-hop’s titans have forged their reputation in the heat of lyrical warfare.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rap
Cite this Entry
“Rap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rap. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rap
1 of 5 noun1
: a sharp blow or knock
2
a
: a sharp criticism
b
: a bad reputation that is often not deserved
given a bad rap
3
a
: the blame for or unfavorable consequences of an action
took the rap
b
: a criminal charge
a murder rap
rap
2 of 5 verb
rapped; rapping
1
: to give a quick sharp blow : knock
2
: to utter suddenly with force
rap
3 of 5 noun
: the least bit
doesn't care a rap
rap
4 of 5 verb
rapped; rapping
1
: to talk freely and frankly
2
: to perform rap
rap
5 of 5 noun1
: an informal talk : chat, conversation
also
: a line of talk : patter
2
a
: a rhythmic chanting often in unison of usually rhymed couplets to a musical accompaniment
b
: a musical piece so performed
Etymology
Noun
Middle English rappe "a hard blow"
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