mop

1 of 2

noun

ˈmäp 

1

: an implement made of absorbent material fastened to a handle and used especially for cleaning floors

2

: something that resembles a mop

especially : a thick mass of hair

mop

2 of 2

verb

mopped; mopping

transitive verb

1

: to use a mop on

specifically : to clean or clear away by mopping

mop the floors

—often used with up

mop up the spillage

2

: to wipe as if with a mop

mopped his brow with a handkerchief

intransitive verb

: to clean a surface (such as a floor) with a mop

mopper noun

Examples of mop in a Sentence

Verb

He mopped the sweat from his brow.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Dreame Vacuum Deal The Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 is a smart self-emptying robot vacuum and mop boasting five suction levels and four cleaning modes as well as an extendable side brush and mop to reach under furniture and into corners. —Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 24 May 2026

Roaches were found by the three-compartment sink and a mop sink, according to the report. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2026

Verb

This is done by building staff, often after the stairway’s floor is mopped. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026

Then fill it with clean water and mop the floor again to rinse off any bleach residue. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mappe

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1709, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing mop

• dry mop
• dust mop
• mop up

Rhymes for mop

• bop
• chop
• cop
• crop
• drop
• flop
• fop
• hop
• knop
• lop
• op
• plop

Kids Definition

mop

1 of 2 noun

ˈmäp 

1

: a tool for cleaning made of a bundle of cloth or yarn or a sponge fastened to a handle

2

: something resembling a mop

a tangled mop of hair

mop

2 of 2 verb

mopped; mopping

: to wipe or clean with or as if with a mop

mop the floor

mopped my brow with a handkerchief