mop

1 of 2

noun

ˈmäp 

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

mop

2 of 2

verb

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

Examples of mop in a Sentence

Verb

He mopped the sweat from his brow.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The prosecution accessed his Amazon account, showing purchases and deliveries made under an alias for a cadaver bag, chainsaws, a mop, and an inflatable swimming pool seemingly made of the same blue material that was embedded in the corpse’s skin. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026

Byers said records showed that Burke also bought a mop-and-bucket system on May 4. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026

Verb

Frequent cleaning by wet-dusting and wet-mopping hard surfaces such as floors and tables with plain water or gentle cleaners can keep indoor air cleaner. — Dr. Lauren Zajac, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026

Avoid mopping or dusting dry droppings, as this can stir particles into the air. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mappe

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1709, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing mop

• dry mop
• dust mop
• mop up

Rhymes for mop

• bop
• chop
• cop
• crop
• drop
• flop
• fop
• hop
• knop
• lop
• op
• plop

Kids Definition

mop

1 of 2 noun

ˈmäp 

1

: a tool for cleaning made of a bundle of cloth or yarn or a sponge fastened to a handle

2

: something resembling a mop

a tangled mop of hair

mop

2 of 2 verb

mopped; mopping

: to wipe or clean with or as if with a mop

mop the floor

mopped my brow with a handkerchief