zap

1 of 3

interjection

ˈzap 

1

—used to express a sound made by or as if by a gun

2

—used to indicate a sudden or instantaneous occurrence

zap

2 of 3

verb

zapped; zapping; zaps

transitive verb

1

a

: to get rid of, destroy, or kill especially with or as if with sudden force

b

: to hit with or as if with a sudden concentrated application of force or energy

c

: to irradiate especially with microwaves

2

a

: to propel suddenly or speedily

b

: to transport instantaneously

3

: to avoid watching (something, such as a television commercial) by changing channels especially with a remote control or by fast-forwarding

intransitive verb

1

: to move with speed or force

2

: to change television channels using a remote control

zap

3 of 3

noun

: a pungent or zestful quality : zip

also : a sudden forceful blow

Synonyms

Verb

• bang
• bash
• bat
• belt
• biff
• bludgeon
• bob
• bonk
• bop
• box
• bust
• clap
• clip
• clobber
• clock
• clout
• crack
• hammer
• hit
• knock
• nail
• paste
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slog
• slug
• smack
• smite
• sock
• strike
• swat
• swipe
• tag
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• whack
• whale

Examples of zap in a Sentence

Verb

The flowers were zapped by the cold weather.

The aliens in the movie zapped people from spaceships.

She reheated her muffin by zapping it in the microwave for a few seconds.

I zapped through the channels for a while before falling asleep.

We tape the show so we can zap through the commercials.

Recent Examples on the Web

Interjection

Yeah, truly, like passing a ball around and zip zap zopping. —Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 9 Aug. 2023

Verb

Now, scientists may have an unconventional solution: zapping the waterfronts with electricity. —Devika Rao, theweek, 4 Sep. 2024

From dodging wand flares inside a giant pumpkin and zapping burritos to turning Justin's kids half invisible, fans are in for a treat as Billie encounters her fair share of magical scenarios. —Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2024

Noun

Each of these little piezoelectric zaps pulls more dissolved gold out of the surrounding fluids to settle on the grains already there. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2024

The course of treatment will involve a combination of thirty-five radiation zaps and seven chemo drips in the course of seven weeks, from late February to mid-April. —David Gilbert, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

imitative

First Known Use

Interjection

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1942, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1963, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

zap

verb

ˈzap

zapped; zapping

1

: to destroy or kill by or as if by shooting

2

: to hit suddenly and forcefully