1
a
: the fluid part of a plant
specifically
: a watery solution that circulates through a plant's vascular system
b(1)
: a body fluid (such as blood) essential to life, health, or vigor
(2)
: bodily health and vigor
2
: a foolish gullible person
sapped; sapping
sapped; sapping
: to proceed by digging a sap
1
: to subvert by digging or eroding the substratum or foundation : undermine
2
a
: to gradually diminish the supply or intensity of
sapped her strength
b
: to weaken or exhaust the energy or vitality of
the illness sapped him of his stamina
3
: to operate against or pierce by a sap
: the extension of a trench to a point beneath an enemy's fortifications
Examples of sap in a Sentence
Noun (1)
a child full of sap and vivacity
some poor sap would probably fall for that telephone scam
the sadistic prison guards freely used their saps to enforce discipline
I may no longer have the sap of youth, but I do have the sapience that comes only with advanced years
Verb (1)
weeks of hard work had sapped her and left her exhausted
Recent Examples on the Web
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
For 16 years, with a brief respite during President Trump’s first term, the military drifted into a laboratory for progressive priorities -- diversity quotas, climate initiatives, and gender policies that sapped readiness and lethality.
—Matt Schoenfeldt, National Review, 21 June 2025
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 14 July 2025
Giant hogweed, which releases a sap that reacts with sunlight and can lead to severe skin burns.
—Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sap
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Verb
That’s because government spending saps freedom and economic growth exactly because central planning of precious resources from the Commanding Heights saps freedom and economic growth.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
For 16 years, with a brief respite during President Trump’s first term, the military drifted into a laboratory for progressive priorities -- diversity quotas, climate initiatives, and gender policies that sapped readiness and lethality.
—Matt Schoenfeldt, National Review, 21 June 2025
Noun
The mud and reeds were replaced with large, round bushes that leaked a thick sap that was next to impossible to get out of clothes.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 14 July 2025
Giant hogweed, which releases a sap that reacts with sunlight and can lead to severe skin burns.
—Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sap
Cite this Entry
“Sap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sap. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sap
1 of 2 noun1
: the fluid part of a plant
especially
: a watery solution that circulates through a higher plant and carries food and nutrients
2
: bodily health and vigor : vitality sense 3b
3
: a foolish person who is easily tricked or cheated
sap
2 of 2 verb
sapped; sapping
1
: undermine sense 2
heavy waves sapped the seawall
2
: to weaken gradually
illness sapped my strength
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