1
a
: the fluid part of a plant
specifically
: a watery solution that circulates through a plant's vascular system
b(1)
: a body fluid (such as blood) essential to life, health, or vigor
(2)
: bodily health and vigor
2
: a foolish gullible person
sapped; sapping
sapped; sapping
: to proceed by digging a sap
1
: to subvert by digging or eroding the substratum or foundation : undermine
2
a
: to gradually diminish the supply or intensity of
sapped her patience
b
: to weaken or exhaust the energy or vitality of
the illness sapped him of his stamina
3
: to operate against or pierce by a sap
: the extension of a trench to a point beneath an enemy's fortifications
Examples of sap in a Sentence
Noun (1)
a child full of sap and vivacity
some poor sap would probably fall for that telephone scam
the sadistic prison guards freely used their saps to enforce discipline
I may no longer have the sap of youth, but I do have the sapience that comes only with advanced years
Verb (1)
weeks of hard work had sapped her and left her exhausted
Recent Examples on the Web
Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
Exposure to the plant's sap, combined with exposure to sunlight and moisture, can lead to severe chemical burns within 24 to 48 hours, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
The energy that normally accompanies a race has been sapped.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sap
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Noun
This slows growth, destroys social trust, increases judgment and moralism, and saps societal happiness.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
Exposure to the plant's sap, combined with exposure to sunlight and moisture, can lead to severe chemical burns within 24 to 48 hours, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
Verb
That uses the aerodisc wheels, each machined from a single piece of aluminum and designed to minimize range-sapping eddies and wakes by funneling the air like a turbine.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
The energy that normally accompanies a race has been sapped.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sap
Cite this Entry
“Sap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sap. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sap
1 of 2 noun1
: the fluid part of a plant
especially
: a watery solution that circulates through a higher plant and carries food and nutrients
2
: bodily health and vigor : vitality sense 3b
3
: a foolish person who is easily tricked or cheated
sap
2 of 2 verb
sapped; sapping
1
: undermine sense 2
heavy waves sapped the seawall
2
: to weaken gradually
illness sapped my strength
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