lap

noun (1)

Save Word

\ ˈlap

Definition of lap

(Entry 1 of 5)

1a : a loose overlapping or hanging panel or flap especially of a garment

b archaic : the skirt of a coat or dress

2a : the clothing that lies on the knees, thighs, and lower part of the trunk when one sits

b : the front part of the lower trunk and thighs of a seated person

3 : responsible custody : control going to drop the whole thing in your lap— Hamilton Basso

the lap of luxury

: an environment of great ease, comfort, and wealth

lap

verb (1)

lapped; lapping

Definition of lap (Entry 2 of 5)

transitive verb

1a : to fold over or around something : wind

b : to envelop entirely : swathe

2 : to fold over especially into layers

3 : to hold protectively in or as if in the lap : cuddle

4a : to place over and cover a part of : overlap lap shingles on a roof

b : to join (things, such as two boards) by a lap joint

5a : to dress, smooth, or polish (something, such as a metal surface) to a high degree of refinement or accuracy

b : to shape or fit by working two surfaces together with or without abrasives until a very close fit is produced

6a : to overtake and thereby lead or increase the lead over (another contestant) by a full circuit of a racecourse

b : to complete the circuit of (a racecourse)

intransitive verb

1 : fold, wind

2a : to project beyond or spread over something

b : to lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another : overlap

3 : to traverse a course

lap

noun (2)

Definition of lap (Entry 3 of 5)

1a : the amount by which one object overlaps or projects beyond another

b : the part of an object that overlaps another

2 : a smoothing and polishing tool usually consisting of a piece of wood, leather, felt, or soft metal in a special shape used with or without an embedded abrasive

3 : a doubling or layering of a flexible substance (such as fibers or paper)

4a : the act or an instance of traversing a course (such as a racing track or swimming pool) also : the distance covered

b : one segment of a larger unit (such as a journey)

c : one complete turn (as of a rope around a drum)

lap

verb (2)

lapped; lapping; laps

Definition of lap (Entry 4 of 5)

1a transitive + intransitive : to take in (food or drink) with the tongue a cat lapping milk from a dish —often used with up Covered with sticky saliva, this long tongue helps the aardvark lap up a lot of termites.— Jo Anne Chitwood Snow

b transitive : to take in or absorb (something) eagerly or quickly —used with up The crowd lapped up every word he said.

2a intransitive : to make a gentle, intermittent splashing sound It was quiet except for the ripples of water lapping at the side of the boat.— Elisa Smith

b intransitive : to move in little waves : wash … banging the table so hard that a couple of lattes lapped over the edge of their cups …— Douglas Frantz et al.

c transitive : to flow or splash against (something) in little waves … the firm ribbon of beach lapped by waves.— William Nack

lap

noun (3)

Definition of lap (Entry 5 of 5)

1a : an act or instance of lapping

b : the amount that can be carried to the mouth by one lick or scoop of the tongue

2 : a thin or weak beverage or food

3 : a gentle splashing sound