cup

noun \ ˈkəp \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Examples: cup in a Sentence

Definition of cup

1 : an open usually bowl-shaped drinking vessel

2 a : 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 7

—

cuplike

play \ˈkəp-ˌlīk\ adjective

— in one's cups

: drunk

See cup defined for English-language learners

See cup defined for kids

Examples of cup in a Sentence

Would you like another cup of tea?
The winner will take home the cup.

Recent Examples of cup from the Web

There are three types, an abundance of riches for the chilaquiles fanatic, my favorite being the Veronica with chorizo and nopales, washed down with a Michelada or endless cups of coffee.

— chronicle staff, SFChronicle.com, "The Mission’s best Mexican and Latin American restaurants," 17 June 2018
Homemade vanilla extract can be made by splitting eight beans lengthwise to expose the seeds, keeping the ends intact and soaking in two cups of vodka or rum in in a tall jar.

— carole kotkin, miamiherald, "There's nothing vanilla about cooking with fragrant, homemade vanilla," 13 June 2018
Only 1 in 10 Americans get their daily recommended 2 to 3 cups of vegetables, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

— alexandra deabler, Fox News, "America's favorite vegetable is broccoli, survey says," 13 June 2018
Specials include $5 stadium cups of Miller Lite and Coors Light drafts, $6 AIX rosé glasses and $7 nachos.

— hannah steinkopf-frank, RedEye Chicago, "Score at these World Cup viewing parties and specials," 13 June 2018
The general rule is about one teaspoon of loose-leaf tea per 1 cup of water; for large quantities, aim for 1 to 1½ ounces of tea per gallon of water.

— becky krystal, charlotteobserver, "Sip your way through summer with a batch of homemade iced tea," 12 June 2018
The Food and Drug Administration says caffeine in doses up to 400 mg (usually about five cups of coffee) is generally safe.

— fiza pirani, ajc, "What is Death Wish Coffee? ‘World’s strongest coffee’ soaring into space," 11 June 2018
The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

— Ramona Sentinel, "CHP to host Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday," 6 June 2018
To a large bowl, add the oat flour, remaining 1 cup of oats, tahini, maple syrup and flax seeds.

— NBC News, "What you should eat before a workout," 6 June 2018

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of cup

Middle English cuppe, from Old English, from Late Latin cuppa cup, alteration of Latin cupa tub — more at hive

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

cup Synonyms

Synonyms

mug;

Related Words

beaker, stein, tankard;

chalice, goblet;

demitasse, noggin;

teacup;

cup

verb

Definition of cup

cupped; cupping

transitive verb

1 : to treat by cupping

2 a : to curve into the shape of a cup

cupped his hands around his mouth

b : to place in or as if in a cup

See cup defined for English-language learners

Examples of cup in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of cup from the Web

Grab and cup and a spoon at the convenience store chain to get the deals on Swirl World ice creams, yogurts, sorbets and Italian ice with 40 toppings to choose from as part of a summer promotion.

— doreen christensen, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Free Swirl World frozen treats for kids at RaceTrac through July 31," 13 June 2018
Then cup the curl in your hand for another 3-5 seconds until it's cooled down.

— jessica cruel, SELF, "12 Common Curling Iron Mistakes and How to Stop Making Them," 8 June 2018
Ostensibly, cupping increases blood flow in the targeted area, encouraging recovery and stimulating muscle repair.

— abigail barronian, Outside Online, "Traditional Chinese Medicine Holds the Secret to Heath," 1 June 2018
Burke poses with her hand cupped over her mouth in shock, showing off an enormous diamond ring, while Lawrence can be seen kissing her cheeks and staring into his fiancé’s eyes.

— mackenzie cummings-grady, Billboard, "'Dancing With the Stars' Pro Cheryl Burke Is Engaged to Matthew Lawrence: 'OMG!'," 4 May 2018
Footage of the episode showed the 26-year-old cupping his hand to his ear as a chorus of ape noises rang down from the crowd.

— dmitry zaks, chicagotribune.com, "Spartak Moscow handed stadium ban for racist behavior," 25 Apr. 2018
The Big Toe To add variation to the normal foot rub, instead of cupping the toe in your hands, take your knuckle and twist it around in small swivels to release tension in the big toe.

— Redbook, "33 Sexy Places to Touch Your Guy," 30 Oct. 2017
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti cupped his face in his hand looking content.

— childs walker, baltimoresun.com, "Lamar Jackson pick capped emotional first night in Ravens war room," 27 Apr. 2018
ShyJanay went so far as to cup her hands and fan the aroma toward her to fully enjoy the scent.

— nancy smith & peter landry, Philly.com, "Wild for turkey burgers; tame for Tzatziki sauce," 26 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of cup

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

CUP Defined for English Language Learners

cup

noun

Definition of cup for English Language Learners

: 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

verb

Definition of cup for English Language Learners

: to curve (your hand) into the shape of a cup
: to put your hand in a curved shape around (something)

CUP Defined for Kids

cup

noun \ ˈkəp \

Definition of cup for Students

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

Definition of cup for Students

cupped; cupping

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.

Medical Dictionary

cup

noun \ ˈkəp \

medical Definition of cup

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

medical Definition of cup

cupped; cupping

transitive verb

: to treat by cupping

intransitive verb

: to undergo or perform cupping

Learn More about cup

See words that rhyme with cup Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cup Spanish Central: Translation of cup Nglish: Translation of cup for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cup for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cup

Seen and Heard

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cup

Definition of cup

cuplike

Examples of cup in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cup from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cup

cup Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

cup

Definition of cup

Examples of cup in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cup from the Web

First Known Use of cup

Phrases Related to CUP

Related Phrases

CUP Defined for English Language Learners

cup

Definition of cup for English Language Learners

cup

Definition of cup for English Language Learners

CUP Defined for Kids

cup

Definition of cup for Students

cup

Definition of cup for Students

Medical Dictionary

cup

medical Definition of cup

cup

medical Definition of cup

Learn More about cup

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