shiplap

noun

ship·​lap ˈship-ˌlap 

: wooden sheathing in which the boards are rabbeted so that the edges of each board lap over the edges of adjacent boards to make a flush joint

Examples of shiplap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sporting original shiplap walls and exposed rafters, the entire operation unfolds in one big room. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026

The interior of the home is finished in shiplap and looks light-filled, thanks to the generous glazing. —New Atlas, 2 Feb. 2026

Take cues from this beautiful space and go with simple shaker-style cabinets and antique brass hardware, a combination of pendant lights and wall sconces, some shiplap on the walls, and a butcher-block island. —Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026

While rustic touches abound—think a natural shiplap wall in the kitchen space and butcher-block countertops—steel-and-glass windows and sleek cabinetry ensure that the lofted space feels decidedly modern. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shiplap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap