chop

1 of 4

verb (1)

chopped; chopping

transitive verb

1
a
: to cut into or sever usually by repeated blows of a sharp instrument
b
: to cut into pieces
often used with up
chop up an onion
c
: to weed and thin out (young cotton)
d
: to cut as if by chopping
chop prices
a bridge chops the lake in two
2
: to strike (something, such as a ball) with a short quick downward stroke
3
: to subject to the action of a chopper
chop a beam of light

intransitive verb

1
: to make a quick stroke or repeated strokes with or as if with a sharp instrument (such as an ax)
2
archaic : to move or act suddenly or violently

chop

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: a forceful usually slanting blow with or as if with an ax or cleaver
b
: a sharp downward blow or stroke
2
: a small cut of meat often including part of a rib see lamb illustration
3
: a mark made by or as if by chopping
4
: material that has been chopped up
5
a
: a short abrupt motion (as of a wave)
b
: a stretch of choppy sea
6
7
chiefly British : abrupt elimination or removal (as from a job)
it is the very top men who have got the chopDaily Mirror

chop

3 of 4

verb (2)

chopped; chopping

intransitive verb

1
: to change direction
2
: to veer with or as if with wind

chop

4 of 4

noun (2)

1
a
: a seal or official stamp or its impression
b
: a license validated by a seal
2
a
: a mark on goods or coins to indicate nature or quality
b
: a kind, brand, or lot of goods bearing the same chop
c
: quality, grade
of the first chop
Phrases
chop logic
: to argue with sophistical reasoning and minute distinctions

Examples of chop in a Sentence

Verb (1) chop the onions before adding them to the pot Noun (1) delivered a sharp chop to his opponent's neck
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Some engineers were blown away by Devin’s technical chops; others feared for their jobs. Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024 Could Elkann remain in charge of Stellantis? Elkann has the business chops and the experience. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
The latest appliances can chop, shred, slice, grind, grate, dice, knead, and puree at the touch of a button. Emily Peck, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024 They can be used for prep work (like marinating meat and chopped vegetables), baking and cooking (think: pastas, desserts, and casseroles), and storing leftovers. Emily Weaver, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chop 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English chappen, choppen — more at chap

Verb (2)

Middle English chappen, choppen to barter

Noun (2)

Hindi chāp & Urdu chhāp stamp

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of chop was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near chop

Cite this Entry

“Chop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chop. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

chop

1 of 3 verb
chopped; chopping
1
: to cut by striking especially over and over with something sharp
chop down a tree
2
: to cut into small pieces
chop onions
3
: to strike quickly or again and again

chop

2 of 3 noun
1
: a sharp downward blow or stroke (as with an ax)
2
: a small cut of meat often including a part of a rib
3
: a short quick motion (as of a wave)

chop

3 of 3 verb
chopped; chopping
: to change direction
Etymology

Verb

Middle English chappen, choppen "to cut, crack"

Verb

Middle English choppen, chappen "to trade, barter"

More from Merriam-Webster on chop

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!