cap

noun (1), often attributive

Save Word

\ ˈkap

Definition of cap

(Entry 1 of 6)

1a : a head covering especially with a visor and no brim

b : a distinctive head covering emblematic of a position or office: such as

(1) : a cardinal's biretta

(2) : mortarboard

2 : a natural cover or top: such as

a : an overlying rock layer that is usually hard to penetrate

b(1) : pileus

(2) : calyptra

c : the top of a bird's head or a patch of distinctively colored feathers in this area

3a : something that serves as a cover or protection especially for a tip, knob, or end a bottle cap

b : a fitting for closing the end of a tube

c British : cervical cap

d : an artificial crown for a tooth

4 : an overlaying or covering structure

5 : a paper or metal container holding an explosive charge (as for a toy pistol)

6 : an upper limit (as on expenditures) : ceiling a cap on military spending

7 : the symbol ∩ indicating the intersection of two sets — compare cup sense 9

8 : a cluster of molecules or chemical groups bound to one end or a region of a cell, virus, or molecule

cap in hand

: in a respectful, humble, or sometimes fearful manner went cap in hand to the governor to seek more funds for education

cap

verb

capped; capping

Definition of cap (Entry 2 of 6)

transitive verb

1a : to provide or protect with a cap cap a bottle

b : to give a cap to as a symbol of honor, rank, or achievement

2 : to form a cap over : crown mountains capped with mist

3a : to follow with something more noticeable or more significant : outdo

b : to bring to a climax or conclusion cap off the show with a song

4 : to form a chemical cap on

5 : to prevent from growing or spreading : set an upper limit on cap oil prices

6 : to supply (a tooth) with an artificial crown

intransitive verb

: to form or produce a chemical cap

cap

noun (2)

Definition of cap (Entry 3 of 6)

: a small amount of an illegal or legally regulated drug especially : a small amount of a drug enclosed in a capsule a cap of cocaine

cap

noun (3)

plural caps

Definition of cap (Entry 4 of 6)

1 : capitalization sense 1d

2 : a capital letter —usually plural a message written in capsAccording to [linguist Deborah] Tannen, women's preference for expressive hashtags is "similar to their using exclamation points, caps, and repetition of letters to show emphasis, and to the fact that women's spoken intonation patterns tend to vary more than men's."— Jessica BennettGood netiquette includes not using all caps [=exclusively capital letters] when typing, as it comes across as shouting.— John DeGarmo

cap

abbreviation (1)

Definition of cap (Entry 5 of 6)

1 capacity

2 capital

3 capitalize; capitalized

CAP

abbreviation (2)

Definition of CAP (Entry 6 of 6)

1 Civil Air Patrol

2 combat air patrol

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing cap Learn More About cap

Synonyms & Antonyms for cap

Synonyms: Noun (1)

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun (2)

Antonyms: Verb

exceed

Examples of cap in a Sentence

Verb a pipe capped at one end Be sure to cap the pen when you are done using it. The report caps a ten-year study of lung cancer among nonsmokers. a concert capped by a fantastic fireworks display If the teams don't cap player salaries, the league won't survive. The law would cap legal immigration. The government wants to cap councils that spend too much. See More

First Known Use of cap

Noun (1)

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

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1942, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Learn More About cap

Dictionary Entries Near cap

caoutchouc tree

cap

CAP

Statistics for cap

Cite this Entry

“Cap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cap. Accessed 20 May. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for cap

cap

noun

\ ˈkap

Kids Definition of cap

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a head covering and especially one having a visor and no brim

2 : something that serves as a cover or protection for something a bottle cap

3 : a part that forms the top of something a mushroom cap

4 : an upper limit a cap on spending

5 : a paper or metal container holding a small explosive charge The toy pistol shoots caps.

cap

verb

capped; capping

Kids Definition of cap (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : to cover or provide with a top or cover Please remember to cap the marker. The mountaintops are capped with snow.

2 : to bring to a high point or end He capped off the show with a song.

3 : to match or follow with something equal or better She capped his joke with one of her own.

4 : to put an upper limit on Attendance is capped at 80 participants.

cap.

abbreviation

Kids Definition of cap.

1 capital

2 capitalize

3 capitalized

cap

noun, often attributive

\ ˈkap

Medical Definition of cap

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a natural cover or top: as

a : pileus

b : patella, kneecap

2 : something that serves as a cover or protection especially for a tip, knob, or end (as of a tooth)

3 British : cervical cap

4 : a cluster of molecules or chemical groups bound to one end or a region of a cell, virus, or molecule the cell surface receptors were redistributed into caps

cap

verb

capped; capping

Medical Definition of cap (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to invest (a student nurse) with a cap as an indication of completion of a probationary period of study

2 : to cover (a diseased or exposed part of a tooth) with a protective substance

3 : to form a chemical cap on the capped end of a messenger RNA

intransitive verb

: to form or produce a chemical cap

cap

abbreviation

Medical Definition of cap (Entry 3 of 3)

1 capacity

2 capsule

cap

noun

\ ˈkap

Legal Definition of cap

: an upper limit a jury found that KAL had committed “willful misconduct,” thus removing the Warsaw Convention's $75,000 cap on damages — Dooley v. Korean Air Lines, 524 U.S. 116 (1998)