lap

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈlap 

1

a

: a loose overlapping or hanging panel or flap especially of a garment

b

archaic : the skirt of a coat or dress

2

a

: the clothing that lies on the knees, thighs, and lower part of the trunk when one sits

b

: the front part of the lower trunk and thighs of a seated person

3

: responsible custody : control

going to drop the whole thing in your lap

—Hamilton Basso

lapful

ˈlap-ˌfu̇l 

noun

lap

2 of 5

verb (1)

lapped; lapping

transitive verb

1

a

: to fold over or around something : wind

b

: to envelop entirely : swathe

2

: to fold over especially into layers

3

: to hold protectively in or as if in the lap : cuddle

4

a

: to place over and cover a part of : overlap

lap shingles on a roof

b

: to join (things, such as two boards) by a lap joint

5

a

: to dress, smooth, or polish (something, such as a metal surface) to a high degree of refinement or accuracy

b

: to shape or fit by working two surfaces together with or without abrasives until a very close fit is produced

6

a

: to overtake and thereby lead or increase the lead over (another contestant) by a full circuit of a racecourse

b

: to complete the circuit of (a racecourse)

intransitive verb

1

: fold, wind

2

a

: to project beyond or spread over something

b

: to lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another : overlap

3

: to traverse a course

lap

3 of 5

noun (2)

1

a

: the amount by which one object overlaps or projects beyond another

b

: the part of an object that overlaps another

2

: a smoothing and polishing tool usually consisting of a piece of wood, leather, felt, or soft metal in a special shape used with or without an embedded abrasive

3

: a doubling or layering of a flexible substance (such as fibers or paper)

4

a

: the act or an instance of traversing a course (such as a racing track or swimming pool)

also : the distance covered

b

: one segment of a larger unit (such as a journey)

c

: one complete turn (as of a rope around a drum)

lap

4 of 5

verb (2)

lapped; lapping; laps

1

a

transitive + intransitive : to take in (food or drink) with the tongue

a cat lapping milk from a dish

—often used with up

Covered with sticky saliva, this long tongue helps the aardvark lap up a lot of termites.

—Jo Anne Chitwood Snow

b

transitive : to take in or absorb (something) eagerly or quickly

—used with up

The crowd lapped up every word he said.

2

a

intransitive : to make a gentle, intermittent splashing sound

It was quiet except for the ripples of water lapping at the side of the boat.

—Elisa Smith

b

intransitive : to move in little waves : wash

… banging the table so hard that a couple of lattes lapped over the edge of their cups …

—Douglas Frantz et al.

c

transitive : to flow or splash against (something) in little waves

… the firm ribbon of beach lapped by waves.

—William Nack

lap

5 of 5

noun (3)

1

a

: an act or instance of lapping

b

: the amount that can be carried to the mouth by one lick or scoop of the tongue

2

: a thin or weak beverage or food

3

: a gentle splashing sound

Phrases

the lap of luxury

: an environment of great ease, comfort, and wealth

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• overlap
• overlay
• overlie
• overspread

Noun (2)

• leg
• stage

Verb (2)

• bathe
• lave
• lip
• splash
• wash

Examples of lap in a Sentence

Verb (1)

the armadillo's plates lap tightly so as to form a protective shield

this recording of the symphony is sure to lap listeners in stereophonic bliss

Noun (2)

we were on the last lap of the journey, eagerly heading for home

Verb (2)

the waves gently lapped the sandy shore

the creek lapped along through the ravine before collecting in the pond

a stiff breeze that was causing the lake waters to lap against the hull with some force

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Porter sat next to her attorney with her hands folded in her lap, speaking only when the judge asked her a direct question. —Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, she’s curled up on the couch, dog in her lap, watching junky TV. —Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2024

Verb

But, just like the Mediterranean lapping at the sand, these things come in waves. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 20 Nov. 2024

Some were accompanied by staff members, the water lapping up as high as their chests. —Nat Sumon, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English lappe, from Old English læppa; akin to Old High German lappa flap

Verb (2)

Middle English, from Old English lapian; akin to Old High German laffan to lick, Latin lambere, Greek laphyssein to devour

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

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

Noun (2)

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (3)

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

Phrases Containing lap

• drop/dump (something) in/into/on someone's lap
• drop/fall into someone's lap
• gun lap
• in the lap of luxury
• in the lap of the gods
• land in someone's lap
• lap belt
• lap dancing
• lap dog
• lap joint
• lap robe
• lap steel
• lap steel guitar
• pace lap

Kids Definition

lap

1 of 5 noun

ˈlap 

1

: a loose panel in a garment : flap

2

a

: the clothing that lies on the knees and thighs when one sits

b

: the front part of a person between the waist and the knees when seated

lap

2 of 5 verb

lapped; lapping

1

: fold entry 3 sense 1

2

: wrap entry 1 sense 1a

3

: to lay or lie over or near something else so as to partly cover it

lap one shingle over another

lap

3 of 5 noun

1

a

: the amount by which one object overlaps another

b

: the part of an object that overlaps another

2

a

: one time around a racetrack

b

: one part of a journey

lap

4 of 5 verb

lapped; lapping

1

: to scoop up food or drink with the tongue

2

: to wash or splash gently

lap

5 of 5 noun

: an act or sound of lapping

Etymology

Noun

Old English læppa "flap of a garment"

Verb

Old English lapian "to take into the mouth by means of the tongue"

Medical Definition

lap

abbreviation

laparotomy