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Definition of flap
1 : a stroke with something broad : slap
2 obsolete : something broad and flat used for striking
3 : something that is broad, limber, or flat and usually thin and that hangs loose or projects freely: such asa : a piece on a garment that hangs freeb : a part of a book jacket that folds under the book's coverc : a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical graftingd : an extended part forming the closure (as of an envelope or carton)
4 : the motion of something broad and limber (such as a sail or wing)
5 : a movable auxiliary airfoil usually attached to an airplane wing's trailing edge to increase lift or drag — see airplane illustration
6a : a state of excitement or agitation : tizzy, uproarb : something that generates an uproar
7 : a consonant (such as the sound \d\ in ladder and \t\ in latter) characterized by a single rapid contact of the tongue or lower lip against another point in the mouth —called also tap
From the M-W Editors
Examples of flap in a Sentence
She opened the tent flap and crawled outside.
the inside flap of a book's cover
a loose flap of skin
Recent Examples of flap from the Web
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Yes, downloads are more popular than ever, but for those of us into physical media, the flap is an odd design choice.
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The flap threatens to weaken Bodnar, who heads one of the last state institutions still independent from the ruling conservative Law and Justice party.
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The Federal Aviation Administration sent the news site a statement saying the crew reported a possible issue with the airplane’s flaps.
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The puppeteers with butterflies have fun with the passersby, making the wings flap as well as dip and soar close to festivalgoers, much to their delight and Instagram feeds.
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The MMCT fee flap is all the stickier now that the bill has passed.
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The flap over size raises a question: Will Phoenix ever have the cachet of cities such as Philadelphia, Seattle or San Francisco — or is that even our goal?
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Nerissa fiddled with and extra flap in the plastic.
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Install one-way flap gates, so water can flow out without flowing back in when a storm surge hits.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flap'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of flap
Middle English flappe
flap
Definition of flap
flapped
;flapping
transitive verb
1 : to beat with or as if with a flap
2 : to toss sharply : fling
3 : to move or cause to move in flaps
intransitive verb
1 : to sway loosely usually with a noise of striking and especially when moved by wind
2a : to beat or pulsate wings or something suggesting wingsb : to progress by flappingc : to flutter ineffectively
3 : to talk foolishly and persistently
Examples of flap in a Sentence
The breeze flapped the sails.
The flag flapped in the breeze.
The bird's wings were flapping.
Recent Examples of flap from the Web
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Trump emerged from a Marriott in Warsaw on Thursday a little after 9:15 a.m., his sprawling motorcade of flag-flapping black sedans, police escorts and shuttle buses riding along the Vistula River to a back entrance to the presidential palace.
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James recently posted a video of himself kneeling on a fitness ball while holding a strange, flapping stick.
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The bird shuddered and flapped, and died in the boat.
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CBS Los Angeles reports the bird flapped around the store, trying to find a way out.
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The peacock flapped around the store trying to find a way out knocking over hundreds of dollars of liquor in the process.
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As Wednesday’s flap over whether Tom Brady has suffered unreported concussions shows, the secrecy in which the NFL (and other professional sports leagues) operate lends itself to second-guessing and speculation.
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Political party flags flapped in the mountain breeze.
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Imitate a penguin and flap your arms furiously without taking flight?
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flap'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of flap
14th century
FLAP Defined for English Language Learners
flap
playDefinition of flap for English Language Learners
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: a flat piece of material that is attached to something on one side and that can be easily moved
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: the movement or sound of something that is moving up and down or back and forth
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: a state or situation in which many people are excited or upset
flap
Definition of flap for English Language Learners
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: to move (something) up and down or back and forth
FLAP Defined for Kids
Definition of flap for Students
1 : something broad and flat or flexible that hangs loose Tape the box flaps closed.
2 : the motion or sound made by something broad and flexible (as a sail or wing) moving back and forth
3 : an upset or worried state of mind Don't get in a flap over nothing.
Definition of flap for Students
flapped
;flapping
: to move with a beating or fluttering motion Birds flapped their wings.
Medical Dictionary
flap
playMedical Definition of flap
: a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting
Learn More about flap
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See words that rhyme with flap Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flap Spanish Central: Translation of flap Nglish: Translation of flap for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flap for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flap
Seen and Heard
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