strop

1 of 2

noun

: strap:
a
: a short rope with its ends spliced to form a circle
b
: a usually leather band for sharpening a razor

strop

2 of 2

verb

stropped; stropping

transitive verb

: to sharpen (a razor) on a strop

Example Sentences

Verb at the museum they showed us how men used to strop razors with leather bands before the days of disposable blades
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
That’s because it’s outfitted with two stone-like diamond abrasives, four ceramic rod surfaces, and a leather strop. Adrienne Donica, Popular Mechanics, 23 Feb. 2021 At that other place, strop-leather brisket was sliced the wrong direction, overcooked pork ribs disintegrated under the cutter’s knife, and angry knobs of sausage absorbed light like a black hole. Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Oct. 2022 The watch is offered with an interchangeable strop that can be substituted for another with the simple touch of a button. Roberta Naas, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Some sharpeners also include a ceramic honing rod or leather strop. Adrienne Donica, Popular Mechanics, 23 Feb. 2021 That said, straight razor fans with impeccable skill and the diligence to keep this very sharp instrument away from pets and kids will doubtless appreciate the ability to replace the blade instead of using a strop. Popular Science, 16 Mar. 2020 Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, looked back at his winger throwing a strop on the bench behind him and shrugged it off with a chuckle. SI.com, 16 Sep. 2019 To remove the burr, use a leather strop, one of rubberized cork or softwood with a polishing compound on its surface. Josh Donald, Popular Mechanics, 17 Nov. 2017 Lay the knife over the strop’s face and draw it backward. Josh Donald, Popular Mechanics, 17 Nov. 2017
Verb
The Department of Transportation said the policy was in response to Beijing's refusal to allow a resumption of flights to China by U.S. carriers that stropped flying to China due to U.S. coronavirus restrictions. Harold Maass, TheWeek, 4 June 2020 Sometimes a leafy twig is selected, and before this can be used the chimpanzee has to strop off the leaves. National Geographic, 17 Apr. 2019 There’s little thunder, no off-piste mental excursions, no sense of a writer stropping his razor. New York Times, 9 July 2018 Sometimes a leafy twig is selected, and before this can be used the chimpanzee has to strop off the leaves. National Geographic, 17 Apr. 2019 There’s little thunder, no off-piste mental excursions, no sense of a writer stropping his razor. New York Times, 9 July 2018 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strop.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English — more at strap

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of strop was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near strop

Cite this Entry

“Strop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strop. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

strop

1 of 2 noun
: a usually leather band for sharpening a razor

strop

2 of 2 verb
stropped; stropping
: to sharpen on a strop
strop a razor
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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