1
: a sharp blow or knock
2
a
: a sharp rebuke or criticism
b
: a negative and often undeserved reputation or charge
—often used with bum or bad
given a bum rap by the press
3
a
: the responsibility for or adverse consequences of an action
refused to take the rap
b
: a criminal charge
c
: a prison sentence
rapped; rapping; raps
1
: to strike with a sharp blow
2
: to utter suddenly and forcibly
3
: to cause to be or come by raps
rap the meeting to order
4
: to criticize sharply
rapped also rapt
ˈrapt 
; rapping; raps
; rapping; raps
: a minimum amount or degree (as of care or consideration) : the least bit
doesn't care a rap
1
: talk, conversation
also
: a line of talk : patter
2
a
or rap music
: a type of music of African American origin in which rhythmic and usually rhyming speech is chanted to a musical accompaniment
enjoys listening to rap
—often used before another nounrap music
a rap album/artist/song
b
: a rap song
… the group mixes its usual raunch with mock news reports and anti-censorship raps …—
Jon Pareles
Jon Pareles
rapped; rapping; raps
1
intransitive
: to talk freely and frankly
… at a party rapping with a guy about music you love …—Lisa Lombardi
Lisa Lombardi2
transitive + intransitive
: to perform rap music
Does it feel strange to rap solo after being part of a big group like Harlem Spartans?—Kyann-Sian Williams
Kyann-Sian WilliamsShe [Cardi B] encouraged the crowd while her husband [Offset] rapped his verse before she returned the favour and finished the song.—Jonathan Landrum Jr.
Jonathan Landrum Jr.
Synonyms
Noun (1)
Verb (1)
- bang
- bash
- bat
- belt
- biff
- bludgeon
- bob
- bonk
- bop
- box
- bust
- clap
- clip
- clobber
- clock
- clout
- crack
- hammer
- hit
- knock
- nail
- paste
- pound
- punch
- slam
- slap
- slog
- slug
- smack
- smite
- sock
- strike
- swat
- swipe
- tag
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- whack
- whale
- zap
Verb (2)
Noun (2)
- beans
- bubkes
- bupkes
- bupkus
- continental
- damn
- darn
- durn
- diddly [slang]
- diddly-squat [slang]
- doodley-squat
- doodly-squat
- fig
- ghost
- hoot
- iota
- jot
- lick
- modicum
- squat [slang]
- syllable
- tittle
- whit
- whoop
Noun (3)
- backchat
- cackle
- causerie
- chat
- chatter
- chin music
- chin-wag [slang]
- chitchat
- confab
- confabulation
- gab
- gabfest
- gossip
- jangle
- jaw
- natter [chiefly British]
- palaver
- patter
- schmooze
- small talk
- table talk
- talk
- tête-à-tête
Verb (3)
Examples of rap in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebAlphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2023
With one final week left of summer, the heavy hitters in rap, R&B and pop have come out to play, as seen by Drake feat.
—Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2023
Independent rap star Macklemore will perform in Portland on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Roseland Theatre.
—oregonlive, 13 Sep. 2023
Last night provided the multi-hyphenate a moment to reflect on all of the success she’s acquired so far in her career as a breakout female rap star.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 13 Sep. 2023
The ever-growing television medium is keeping the legacies of two of the most important figures in rap — and overall pop culture — alive, and now the projects are competing for Emmys.
—Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2023
On top of Saweetie's viral moment and bounce back, the 2023 VMAs were a big night for women in rap.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
The occasional glimpses of R&B and rap royalty (Keyshia Cole, Fat Joe and Ashanti, to name a few)?
—Bethonie Butler, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023
The song ends rap’s year-long drought without topping the Hot 100, a feat just missed by other rap superstars including Drake, 21 Savage, Lil Durk and J. Cole.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2023
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2023
In the video, which is set at the beach and an extravagant pool, Cardi and Megan don a series of flashy outfits — including matching red swimsuits at the end — to rap to the raunchy track.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
At one point, Megan Thee Stallion leads a bunch of men around an office on leashes while rapping an original song about being a boss.
—Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023
Surrounded by singers in white robes, Ja Rule raps his verses emphatically as a projector screen showcasing a sunset plays behind them.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 7 Sep. 2023
But Shota’s already set his head back on the desk, rapping his knuckles along with the rain.
—Bryan Washington, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2023
His career in the entertainment world has spanned a few different industries, from rapping to wrestling to acting and writing for TV.
—Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2023
The only problem is the terrifying red-eyed, midnight black horned demon crawling (and rapping) on her ceiling, illuminated by a snowy TV screen in an homage to another freaky suburban nightmare classic, Poltergeist.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 1 Sep. 2023
Eminem has sent a cease and desist letter demanding the Republican presidential candidate stop rapping his music during his 2024 campaign, the Daily Mail reports.
—Brendan Morrow, The Week, 29 Aug. 2023
See More
Noun
Check out previous Ones, and listen to new rap from Tommy Richman and more on our Spotify playlist.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2023
With one final week left of summer, the heavy hitters in rap, R&B and pop have come out to play, as seen by Drake feat.
—Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2023
Independent rap star Macklemore will perform in Portland on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Roseland Theatre.
—oregonlive, 13 Sep. 2023
Last night provided the multi-hyphenate a moment to reflect on all of the success she’s acquired so far in her career as a breakout female rap star.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 13 Sep. 2023
The ever-growing television medium is keeping the legacies of two of the most important figures in rap — and overall pop culture — alive, and now the projects are competing for Emmys.
—Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2023
On top of Saweetie's viral moment and bounce back, the 2023 VMAs were a big night for women in rap.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
The occasional glimpses of R&B and rap royalty (Keyshia Cole, Fat Joe and Ashanti, to name a few)?
—Bethonie Butler, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023
The song ends rap’s year-long drought without topping the Hot 100, a feat just missed by other rap superstars including Drake, 21 Savage, Lil Durk and J. Cole.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2023
Verb
The two stars rapped their verses while showing off their best assets.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2023
In the video, which is set at the beach and an extravagant pool, Cardi and Megan don a series of flashy outfits — including matching red swimsuits at the end — to rap to the raunchy track.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
At one point, Megan Thee Stallion leads a bunch of men around an office on leashes while rapping an original song about being a boss.
—Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023
Surrounded by singers in white robes, Ja Rule raps his verses emphatically as a projector screen showcasing a sunset plays behind them.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 7 Sep. 2023
But Shota’s already set his head back on the desk, rapping his knuckles along with the rain.
—Bryan Washington, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2023
His career in the entertainment world has spanned a few different industries, from rapping to wrestling to acting and writing for TV.
—Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2023
The only problem is the terrifying red-eyed, midnight black horned demon crawling (and rapping) on her ceiling, illuminated by a snowy TV screen in an homage to another freaky suburban nightmare classic, Poltergeist.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 1 Sep. 2023
Eminem has sent a cease and desist letter demanding the Republican presidential candidate stop rapping his music during his 2024 campaign, the Daily Mail reports.
—Brendan Morrow, The Week, 29 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English rappe
Verb (2)
back-formation from rapt
Noun (2)
perhaps from rap entry 1
Verb (3)
perhaps from rap entry 1
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Verb (2)
1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1834, in the meaning defined above
Noun (3)
1967, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (3)
1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of rap was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing rap
Dictionary Entries Near rap
Cite this Entry
“Rap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rap. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
rap
1 of 5 noun1
: a sharp blow or knock
2
a
: a sharp criticism
b
: a bad reputation that is often not deserved
given a bad rap
3
a
: the blame for or unfavorable consequences of an action
took the rap
b
: a criminal charge
a murder rap
rap
2 of 5 verb
rapped; rapping
1
: to give a quick sharp blow : knock
2
: to utter suddenly with force
rap
3 of 5 noun
: the least bit
doesn't care a rap
rap
4 of 5 verb
rapped; rapping
1
: to talk freely and frankly
2
: to perform rap
rap
5 of 5 noun1
: an informal talk : chat, conversation
also
: a line of talk : patter
2
a
: a rhythmic chanting often in unison of usually rhymed couplets to a musical accompaniment
b
: a musical piece so performed
Etymology
Noun
Middle English rappe "a hard blow"
More from Merriam-Webster on rap
Nglish: Translation of rap for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of rap for Arabic Speakers
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