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

• 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

Educators and parents are increasingly enthusiastic that matching learning styles to students will reap academic rewards. —Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

The fields may change, but the sowing and reaping remain the same. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025

Green Bay reaped the benefits of the negligence of rival squads, adding one of the best players in football to a roster that already had Super Bowl potential prior to even acquiring Parsons. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

Still, there is plenty of resistance to the idea, including from many wealthy lawmakers who reap dividends from their portfolios. —Mary Clare Jalonick, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

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