\ ˈkəp
\
\
Definition of cup
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: an open usually bowl-shaped drinking vessel
2a
: a drinking vessel and its contents
b
: the consecrated wine of the Communion
3
: something that falls to one's lot
4
: an ornamental cup offered as a prize (as in a championship)
5
: something resembling a cup: such as
a
: a cup-shaped plant organ
b
: an athletic supporter reinforced usually with plastic to provide extra protection to the wearer
c
: either of two parts of a brassiere that are shaped like and fit over the breasts
d
: the metal case inside a hole in golf
also
: the hole itself
6
: a usually iced beverage resembling punch but served from a pitcher rather than a bowl
7
: a half pint : eight fluid ounces
8
: a food served in a cup-shaped usually footed vessel
a fruit cup
9
: the symbol ∪ indicating the union of two sets — compare cap sense 7
in one's cups
: drunk
cup
verb
cupped; cupping
Definition of cup (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to treat by cupping
2a
: to curve into the shape of a cup
cupped his hands around his mouth
b
: to place in or as if in a cup
Other Words from cup
Noun
cuplike
\
ˈkəp-ˌlīk
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of cup in a Sentence
Noun
Would you like another cup of tea?
The winner will take home the cup.
Verb
He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted at us.
I had to cup my hand to my ear in order to hear him.
He cupped his mouth with his hands and shouted at us.
I sat with my chin cupped in my hand.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Soak with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of a mild, colorless liquid detergent to each cup of lukewarm water.
—
Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2021
That suction action can be created by pumping air out or by applying a flame to the cup before placing it on the skin, according to the NCCIH.
—
Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 8 Dec. 2021
Most passengers would have no idea so much work went into changing to a paper cup.
—
Alex Stone, ABC News, 6 Dec. 2021
Casey's: Military service members, active or inactive, are welcome to a free cup of coffee.
—
Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, 11 Nov. 2021
Add a few tablespoons of water to the cup of the bromeliad, near the base of the plant, and fill it occasionally.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 8 Nov. 2021
With the features of a convenience store, grocery store and restaurant, Leo’s sells fresh produce, bread, cheese and fresh-ground bean-to-cup coffee.
—
Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Oct. 2021
As for how much coffee to use, start with about 1 tablespoon of coffee grounds to every cup of water for and adjust from there.
—
Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Sep. 2021
This backless and strapless adhesive bra ingeniously offers coverage and cleavage control, and goes up to a G cup.
—
New York Times, 11 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The Headphone Table, imagined in 1978 and recreated in 2017, invites visitors to sit and cup their hands to their ears, with elbows on the table, to hear—or be part of—a humming that rumbles through the heavy table.
—
Roger Catlin, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2021
Working with one piece at a time, cup your hand over the dough, keeping the sides of your palm on the work surface.
—
Janelle Bitker, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2021
My hands grip his unruly brown hair, his hands cup my face.
—
Anastasia Garcia, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2021
After all, these sneaky chemicals can infiltrate foods and beverages at any point in their journey from farm to fork or from manufacturing plant to cup or bottle.
—
Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2021
Strike your match and immediately cup it in your hands to protect it from rain and wind.
—
Jim Baird, Field & Stream, 1 Oct. 2020
Rodgers won't need to cup his hands over his helmet in order to hear play calls from the sideline.
—
Star Tribune, 7 Sep. 2020
As birds cup their wings and put their feet down, make excited clucks.
—
Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, 11 Aug. 2020
Great pizzerias must nail the classics and this one came loaded with a mountain of delectable slices on top of the pie, that true to its name, cupped those spicy meat juices.
—
Chuck Blount, ExpressNews.com, 15 May 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cup.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Last Updated
17 Jan 2022
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Cite this Entry
“Cup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cup. Accessed 17 Jan. 2022.
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More Definitions for cup
cup
noun
English Language Learners Definition of cup
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a small round container that often has a handle and that is used for drinking liquids (such as tea and coffee)
: the liquid that is contained in a cup
: a unit of measurement that is used when you are cooking
cup
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of cup (Entry 2 of 2)
: to curve (your hand) into the shape of a cup
: to put your hand in a curved shape around (something)
See the full definition for cup in the English Language Learners Dictionary
cup
noun
\ ˈkəp
\
\
Kids Definition of cup
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a container to drink out of in the shape of a small bowl usually with a handle
2
: the contents of a small drinking container : cupful
I drank a cup of tea.
3
: a unit of measure that equals half a pint or eight fluid ounces
4
: a trophy in the shape of a cup with two handles
5
: something like a small bowl in shape or use
I picked her up in the cup of my hands …— Jean Craighead George, My Side of the Mountain
cup
verb
cupped; cupping
Kids Definition of cup (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to curve the hand or hands into the shape of a small bowl
2
: to put the hands in a curved shape around
She cupped my face.
cup
noun
\ ˈkəp
\
\
Medical Definition of cup
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a usually open bowl-shaped drinking vessel often having a handle and a stem and base and sometimes a lid
2
: a drinking vessel and its contents : the beverage or food contained in a cup
a second cup of coffee
3
: something resembling a cup
invagination of the blastula to form a multilayered cellular cup
: as
a(1)
: an athletic supporter reinforced for providing extra protection to the wearer in certain strenuous sports (as boxing, hockey, or football)
(2)
: either of the two parts of a brassiere that are shaped like and fit over the breasts
b
: a small bell-shaped glass formerly used in cupping
c
: a cap of metal or plastic shaped like the femoral head and used in plastic reconstruction of the hip joint
cup
verb
cupped; cupping
Medical Definition of cup (Entry 2 of 2)
: to treat by cupping
: to undergo or perform cupping
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Time Traveler for cup
The first known use of cup was before the 12th century
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