mop

noun \ ˈmäp \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: mop in a Sentence

Definition of mop

1 : an implement made of absorbent material fastened to a handle and used especially for cleaning floors

2 : something that resembles a mop; especially : a thick mass of hair

See mop defined for English-language learners

See mop defined for kids

Recent Examples of mop from the Web

The formula now is four superstar scorers and a mop-up guy to block shots, grab rebounds and kick the ball out.

— nicholas talbot, San Antonio Express-News, "Writers’ Roundtable: who wins the NBA Finals and will LeBron James stay if the Cavs lose?," 1 June 2018
Both teams have tremendous bullpens, but because the Diamondbacks’ offense has disappeared, their relievers are doing mostly mop-up duty.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Since the big freeze-out in Chicago, Brewers have come closer to hitting on all cylinders," 23 May 2018
Once the king of New York, Harvey's final appearance as a Met came in mop-up duty.

— matt ehalt, USA TODAY, "Mets' Matt Harvey era officially ends with pitcher lacking both allies and results," 5 May 2018
Cloyd was placed on the paternity list on Monday, and has not pitched since April 16 in mop-up duty against the Yankees.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Marlins option Dillon Peters, welcome Tyler Cloyd back from paternity list," 4 May 2018
Extra innings: Fulmer, who has a 7.59 ERA, pitched an inning of mop-up duty Friday but is still scheduled to start Tuesday against the Mariners.

— paul sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "A tough day gets worse for White Sox in another blowout loss to Astros," 22 Apr. 2018
At one point, a custodian — not in the cast — wheeled a noisy bucket and mop through the action, causing the director to stop the scene.

— helene stapinski, New York Times, "A View From the Barge," 16 May 2018
But many cards offer secondary insurance, which is the mop-up feature once your primary insurance is tapped.

— catharine hamm, latimes.com, "Having extra protection from credit cards can be like money in the bank," 30 Apr. 2018
He's been rocking that textured, disheveled mop for years.

— adam hurly, GQ, "Here's How to Pull off Robert Pattinson's Hair," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mop.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mop

Middle English mappe

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

mop

verb

Definition of mop

mopped; mopping

transitive verb

1 : to use a mop on; specifically : to clean or clear away by mopping

mop the floors

—often used with up

mop up the spillage

2 : to wipe as if with a mop

mopped his brow with a handkerchief

intransitive verb

: to clean a surface (such as a floor) with a mop

—

mopper

noun

See mop defined for English-language learners

Examples of mop in a Sentence

He mopped the sweat from his brow.

Recent Examples of mop from the Web

Earlier in the episode, LaMelo was shown moping in practice.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "LaMelo Ball lashed out at his Lithuanian teammates after Borat-themed prank," 10 June 2018
Deborah Clem, director of Portage Township’s three cemeteries, looked around her office at McCool Cemetery and noted problems ranging from mopping water to squeezing grieving families into the small meeting space.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Portage Township to improve historic cemetery," 8 June 2018
During his gray-haired years, Roth became something of an Eeyore for his craft, moping about how nobody really read books anymore, how all his work was probably in vain.

— nathan heller, Vogue, "Remembering Philip Roth, Literary Risk-Taker," 23 May 2018
Their friendship is admired and adored — two massive celebrities cheesing about their recent beach trip is more valuable than one celebrity moping about in pottery class.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "Which Ocean's 11 Star Had The Better Superhero Movie Cameo?," 18 May 2018
Many of my colleagues hated mopping, which required going into the haven of filth that was the public bathroom.

— tyler bonin, WSJ, "My Advice to Grads: Start Mopping," 28 May 2018
Tickets for this event cost a brow-mopping $750, but the proceeds go to the Frontera Farm Foundation, the Bayless nonprofit that provides capital-development grants to family farms in the Midwest.

— phil vettel, chicagotribune.com, "Rick Bayless to host epic party for charity, and there are only 40 spots available," 16 Apr. 2018
Why did all those Native American wizards not mop the floor with Columbus, Cortés, Jackson, and all the other genocidaires Europe and its colonists sent their way?

— BostonGlobe.com, "Why the Jewish students at Hogwarts have to be invisible," 9 Feb. 2018
Firefighters have focused on structure protection and community mop-up to help ensure all heat in the area was extinguished on Monday and will continue that Tuesday.

— lurissa carbajal, azcentral, "Arizona Tinder Fire grows to more than 11,000 acres," 1 May 2018

First Known Use of mop

1709

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

MOP Defined for English Language Learners

mop

noun

Definition of mop for English Language Learners

: a tool for cleaning floors that has a bundle of cloth or yarn or a sponge attached to a long handle
: a large amount of tangled or untidy hair on a person's head