cup

noun \ ˈkəp \

|Updated on: 2 Aug 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

Shiru allows patrons one free cup of coffee or tea every two hours.

— graham ambrose, BostonGlobe.com, "Free coffee — with a catch — is coming to Massachusetts," 14 July 2018
Durability and light weight are all well and good, but a coffee filter’s main duty is producing a good cup of mud.

— joe jackson, Outside Online, "The MugMate Is the Best Camp Coffeemaker, Hands Down," 13 July 2018
Close out the evening with a relaxing cup of coffee and dessert at Casa Rustica (8:30 to 9 p.m.).

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Local eateries cool the summer heat with chillin' specials during National Ice Cream month," 12 July 2018
Make the couscous according to the package directions, using 1 cup of the broth in the pot along with water to make it.

— daniel neman, sacbee, "Artistry, flavor blends are marks of Moroccan," 10 July 2018
To that end, researchers at MIT are working on a similar system that teaches robots in a simulation to do certain household tasks, like making a cup of coffee.

— matt simon, WIRED, "Don't Just Lecture Robots—Make Them Learn," 9 July 2018
For the past four years, Eduardo Burgos and Franco Marcano have been waking early to a strong cup of Puerto Rican coffee and heading to their farm in Las Piedras, near the center of the island.

— nicole acevedo /, NBC News, "'The push we needed': Puerto Rico's local farmers step up efforts after Hurricane Maria," 6 July 2018
These assembled gazillionaires gently lolled on swings sipping cups of Champagne handed out by actors dressed as nuns or monks.

— luke leitch, Vogue, "Dolce & Gabbana’s Como Chameleons: Naomi Campbell, Halima Aden, and Maye Musk Model Alta Moda in Italy," 6 July 2018
Stop in for a cup of coffee and be the first to know about the goings-on at the East Hartford Senior Center.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The East Hartford Edition," 2 July 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

So when Guerra finally blew his whistle, defender Matt Besler squatted near the midfield stripe, balancing himself with his right hand while cupping his face with the left to hide the tears.

— kevin baxter, latimes.com, "As World Cup looms, U.S. players still lament loss in Trinidad," 7 May 2018
The crescendo came when Rory sank an uphill 50-foot-long birdie putt on the eighth hole and let out a thunderous roar, cupping his ear and yelling at the partisan American crowd.

— jesse smithey, Detroit Free Press, "Ryder Cup rematch? Rory McIlroy vs. Patrick Reed in Masters Sunday final pair," 7 Apr. 2018
Peony Varieties That Bloom From Early To Midseason Stardust: single flowers with shining white petals cupped around golden stamens bloom on strong tall stems early in the season.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Your Own Gorgeous Peonies," 9 Mar. 2017
To show Santana that Neymar was crying tears of happiness, Rodrigues took Santana’s hands and cupped them to his face.

— jason duaine hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Blind and Deaf Soccer Fan Celebrates Team's World Cup Victory with Help from Interpreter," 28 June 2018
Another person who witnessed the encounter saw no hug, but did see Mr. Gifford cupping Ms. Redstone’s chin and speaking to her in a demeaning paternal manner.

— keach hagey, WSJ, "Shari Redstone’s Path to Power," 22 June 2018
At one point, a firefighter raised his hands, cupping the remains of a child's skull and gently handed it to another worker who wrapped it in a small blanket and laid it on the ground.

— NBC News, "Guatemala volcano survivor searches for 46 missing family members," 7 June 2018
Homemade Hair Gel ½ to 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin 1 cup hot water Dissolve gelatin in water, store in refrigerator between uses.

— jean nick, Good Housekeeping, "How To Make Your Own Shampoo With Ingredients You Have In Your Kitchen," 31 July 2017
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

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

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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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