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 younger Cave, with a mop of jet black hair and thick eyebrows just like his father, is talking to The Hollywood Reporter about being directed by Kristen Stewart in her feature film debut. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025

Ahead, find the best steam mops to handle your most stubborn messes. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 12 May 2025

Verb

When mopping, the MopMaster 2.0 has dual mopping pads and 180 rotations per minute to gently scrub hard floors. —Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 23 Apr. 2025

This vacuum and mop hybrid syncs up to a smartphone app that custom maps spaces for a thorough clean. —Ali Faccenda, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025

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