reap

verb

ˈrēp 

reaped; reaping; reaps

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to cut with a sickle, scythe, or reaping machine

(2)

: to clear of a crop by reaping

b

: to gather by reaping : harvest

2

: obtain, win

intransitive verb

: to reap something

Synonyms of reap

• harvest
• pick

Examples of reap in a Sentence

She is now reaping the benefits of her hard work.

He reaped large profits from his investments.

The workers were out reaping the crops.

The workers were out reaping in the fields.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fault was responsible for a megaquake that ripped through the then-sparsely populated state in 1857 -- an event that, if repeated today, would reap mass destruction. — Rong-Gong Lin Ii Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026

Research consistently shows higher-income Americans reap most of those benefits. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

As the Wall Street Journal reports, British fossil fuel giant Shell is reaping enormous profits thanks to spiking oil prices triggered by the conflict in Iran. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 30 July 2026

That kind of deal had been the standard procedure in recent years, with teams paying players big money early and reaping the benefits of those extra prime years before a third deal comes around. — Max Bultman, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repen, from Old English reopan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing reap

• reap the rewards
• reap what one sows

Rhymes for reap

• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• seep
• sheep
• sleep

Kids Definition

reap

verb

ˈrēp 

1

a

: to cut (as grain) or clear (as a field) with a sickle, scythe, or machine

b

: harvest entry 2 sense 1

reap a crop

2

: to get as a result

reap the benefit of hard work