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

At sixty-six, Araki maintains his mop of boyish dark hair and arch, flirtatious disposition. — Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 26 July 2026

The Chinese outfit, famous for releasing the world’s first self-cleaning robot mop and vacuum in 2021, continues to forge ahead with innovative designs that combine the latest tech with surprisingly elegant aesthetics. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 July 2026

Verb

The women went to the bathroom to mop the bottoms of their eyes, where their makeup was smeared from crying. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

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

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