reap

verb

ˈrēp 

reaped; reaping; reaps

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to cut with a sickle, scythe, or reaping machine

(2)

: to clear of a crop by reaping

b

: to gather by reaping : harvest

2

: obtain, win

intransitive verb

: to reap something

Synonyms of reap

• harvest
• pick

Examples of reap in a Sentence

She is now reaping the benefits of her hard work.

He reaped large profits from his investments.

The workers were out reaping the crops.

The workers were out reaping in the fields.

Recent Examples on the Web

The sliding of scale of benefits was designed so people who took Social Security at different ages would reap roughly the same benefits over their lifetimes. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026

Trump has made a small fortune in cryptocurrency after all, where AI’s swift decisions in volatile crypto trading can reap big profits. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026

Still, the company's investors have reaped major benefits, with the company's share price up more than 73% in the last five years alone. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026

Developing these frameworks is crucial to reaping value from AI in the long term. —NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repen, from Old English reopan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing reap

• reap the rewards
• reap what one sows

Rhymes for reap

• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• seep
• sheep
• sleep

Kids Definition

reap

verb

ˈrēp 

1

a

: to cut (as grain) or clear (as a field) with a sickle, scythe, or machine

b

: harvest entry 2 sense 1

reap a crop

2

: to get as a result

reap the benefit of hard work