often attributive
1
scraps plural
: fragments of discarded or leftover food
2
a
: a small detached piece
a scrap of paper
b
: a fragment of something written, printed, or spoken
scraps of conversation
c
: the least bit
not a scrap of evidence
3
4
a
: fragments of stock removed in manufacturing
b
: manufactured articles or parts rejected or discarded and useful only as material for reprocessing
especially
: waste and discarded metal
scrapped; scrapping
1
: to convert into scrap
2
: to abandon or get rid of as no longer of enough worth or effectiveness to retain
scrap outworn methods
Examples of scrap in a Sentence
Noun (1)
only a scrap of silk was left on the sewing table after they had finished the project
a scrap of paper fluttered to the floor
brushed away a scrap of lint
the rest of this stuff is just scrap, so sweep it up and throw it away
Verb (1)
we've decided to scrap the second car
we scrapped our plans to go to Paris, and set out the next day for Prague
Noun (2)
the state legislature's annual scrap over the budget
several drunken revelers were involved in a scrap outside of the nightclub
Verb (2)
the young couple often scrapped about money and their very disparate spending habits
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Always cut your biscuits close together to reduce the amount of scraps that need to be re-worked.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
Gina Chon, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The Philadelphia 76ers icon met with Stern to discuss his budding rap career and the backlash surrounding his upcoming Misunderstood album, which was originally titled Non-Fiction and was scrapped by late 2001.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrap
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Use 4-inch round cookie cutters to cut out, rerolling scraps as needed.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
Always cut your biscuits close together to reduce the amount of scraps that need to be re-worked.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
The number of Chinese students enrolled at US universities has fallen by more than 25% from its peak in the 2019-2020 school year, and reversing that trend will take more than just scrapping an export control backlist.
—Gina Chon, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The Philadelphia 76ers icon met with Stern to discuss his budding rap career and the backlash surrounding his upcoming Misunderstood album, which was originally titled Non-Fiction and was scrapped by late 2001.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scrap
Cite this Entry
“Scrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrap. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scrap
2 of 4 verb
scrapped; scrapping
1
: to break up into scrap
2
: to discard as worthless
scrap
3 of 4 nounEtymology
Noun
Middle English scrap "discarded bits of food"; of Norse origin
Noun
origin unknown
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share