lap 1 of 3

Definition of lapnext
as in leg
a portion of a trip we were on the last lap of the journey, eagerly heading for home

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lap

2 of 3

verb (1)

1
as in to wash
to flow along or against the waves gently lapped the sandy shore

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2
as in to splash
to flow in a broken irregular stream the creek lapped along through the ravine before collecting in the pond

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3
as in to ripple
to move with a splashing motion a stiff breeze that was causing the lake waters to lap against the hull with some force

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lap

3 of 3

verb (2)

1
as in to overlap
to lie over parts of one another the armadillo's plates lap tightly so as to form a protective shield

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2

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of lap
Noun
With less electrical power to deploy, the cars should maintain a higher state of charge throughout a lap. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026 Leclerc cuts the chicane, but which point the chasing George Russell fully erases the 14-second gap Leclerc had when the lap commenced. Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Verb
Cassie’s OnlyFans journey begins with her making content posing as a dog, replete with dog ears, collar, leash, wrist cuffs, tail, and a satin corset from Sweeney’s lingerie line SYRN, bending over and lapping up water from a bowl on the ground. Marlow Stern, Variety, 10 May 2026 With azure water lapping sandy beaches, lazy days spent frolicking in Lake Maggiore are a huge draw. Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lap
Noun
  • Early in the second quarter, the Sun were dealt major blow when Nelson-Ododa went down with an apparent lower right leg injury, briefly leaving rookie Raegan Beers — with three fouls — as the team’s only available center.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
  • The English Football League has charged Southampton with spying on their opponents two days before the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final on Tuesday.
    Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • The next night after the stabbing, an employee at the gas station, who did not witness the incident, told the Daily News that five men appeared to be living in the weed truck — and had been doing so for about 6 months — and most mornings would offer to wash cars being serviced at nearby auto shops.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
  • Finally, Altmann reminded people to wash their hands well after outdoor activities or cleaning storage areas.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Dining venues center around the village square’s plaza and splashing fountain.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
  • From Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando to SeaWorld and Legoland, kids and kids-at-heart can ride rollercoasters, learn about marine life, see live entertainment, meet favorite characters, and splash in waterparks for days of memory-making adventures.
    Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • The prices that businesses are paying for goods have risen sharply, according to data released Wednesday, the latest data point showing that knock-on effects from the Iran war are rapidly rippling across the economy.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 13 May 2026
  • Instability in several of the world’s most important energy suppliers illustrates how quickly geopolitical crises can ripple through global markets.
    Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • These spheres are always overlapping.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
  • But sandwich generation caregiving is chronic, overlapping and resource-intensive in ways the bill isn’t designed to address.
    Kate Perepezko, The Conversation, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Michael Dale lay in his Escondido home with a plastic bag wrapped around his head and sealed with duct tape for at least eight minutes as Michaela Rylaarsdam, vibrator in hand, kept the cameras rolling, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in San Diego Superior Court.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • My hero tenderly wrapped his snow-white daughter in a cravat; my heroine woke with a stab of fear, wondering where her stomach had gone.
    Eloisa James, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Guests contrast bathe indoors and outdoors in pools filled with glacial meltwater overlooking the lake.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
  • Notable activities include meditation, aerial yoga, myofascial release, sound healings and desert bathing.
    Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • In both competitive partisan races and in Democrat-on-Democrat contests, analysts say frustration about the economy is bubbling up from voters.
    Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • Reduce heat to 350° and continue to bake until filling is actively bubbling through the center and biscuits are deep golden brown, 50–65 minutes more.
    Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lap. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

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