flap

1 of 2

noun

1
: a stroke with something broad : slap
2
obsolete : something broad and flat used for striking
3
: something that is broad, limber, or flat and usually thin and that hangs loose or projects freely: such as
a
: a piece on a garment that hangs free
b
: a part of a book jacket that folds under the book's cover
c
: a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting
d
: an extended part forming the closure (as of an envelope or carton)
4
: the motion of something broad and limber (such as a sail or wing)
5
: a movable auxiliary airfoil usually attached to an airplane wing's trailing edge to increase lift or drag see airplane illustration
6
a
: a state of excitement or agitation : tizzy, uproar
b
: something that generates an uproar
7
: a consonant (such as the sound \d\ in ladder and \t\ in latter) characterized by a single rapid contact of the tongue or lower lip against another point in the mouth

called also tap

flap

2 of 2

verb

flapped; flapping

transitive verb

1
: to beat with or as if with a flap
2
: to toss sharply : fling
3
: to move or cause to move in flaps

intransitive verb

1
: to sway loosely usually with a noise of striking and especially when moved by wind
2
a
: to beat or pulsate wings or something suggesting wings
b
: to progress by flapping
c
: to flutter ineffectively
3
: to talk foolishly and persistently

Examples of flap in a Sentence

Noun She opened the tent flap and crawled outside. the inside flap of a book's cover a loose flap of skin Verb The breeze flapped the sails. The flag flapped in the breeze. The bird's wings were flapping.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Books that offer opportunities for interaction (like different textures to touch or flaps to flip) are especially appealing to 8-month-olds. Maya Polton, Parents, 17 May 2024 The Racer’s wings are optimized in all phases of flight, thanks to flaps on the trailing edge. Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 16 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for flap 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English flappe

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flap was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near flap

Cite this Entry

“Flap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flap. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

flap

1 of 2 noun
1
2
: a broad, limber, or flat piece that hangs loose (as on a pocket or envelope)
3
: the motion or sound of a flap
4
: a movable part of an airplane wing that is attached to the trailing edge of the wing and that is used to increase lift or drag

flap

2 of 2 verb
flapped; flapping
1
2
: to move or cause to move with a beating motion
flapping its wings

Medical Definition

flap

noun
: a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting

More from Merriam-Webster on flap

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