\ 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)
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)
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
Other Words from lap
Noun (1)
lapful
\
ˈlap-ˌfu̇l
\
noun
\
noun
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Cite this Entry
“Lap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lap. Accessed 29 Jun. 2022.
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More Definitions for lap
lap
noun
\ ˈlap
\
\
Kids Definition of lap
(Entry 1 of 4)
: the front part of a person between the hips and the knees when seated
lap
verb
lapped; lapping
Kids Definition of lap (Entry 2 of 4)
: overlap
Lap one paper over another.
lap
nounKids Definition of lap (Entry 3 of 4)
1
: a part of something that overlaps another part
2
: one time around or over a course (as of a racetrack or swimming pool)
3
: a stage in a trip
lap
verb
lapped; lapping
Kids Definition of lap (Entry 4 of 4)
1
: to scoop up food or drink with the tongue
The dog lapped up the water.
2
: to splash gently
The cold stream lapped his bare heels …— Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia
lap
abbreviationMedical Definition of lap
laparotomy
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Time Traveler for lap
The first known use of lap was before the 12th century
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