mop

1 of 2

noun

ˈmäp 

1

: an implement made of absorbent material fastened to a handle and used especially for cleaning floors

2

: something that resembles a mop

especially : a thick mass of hair

mop

2 of 2

verb

mopped; mopping

transitive verb

1

: to use a mop on

specifically : to clean or clear away by mopping

mop the floors

—often used with up

mop up the spillage

2

: to wipe as if with a mop

mopped his brow with a handkerchief

intransitive verb

: to clean a surface (such as a floor) with a mop

mopper noun

Examples of mop in a Sentence

Verb

He mopped the sweat from his brow.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tap water and dirty mop pads are two common culprits of smudgy surfaces. —Maria Conti, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2025

Flora lifted the mop and began moving it back and forth, sloshing warm, soapy water all over the pebbly white surface. —Sheila Heti, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025

Verb

Health officials advise against stirring up materials and favor cleaning using a wet process – mopping – not leaf blowers. —Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Jan. 2025

The vacuum component has a powerful suction that sucks up dry debris like bits of food, fur, and dirt and then locks it away in an integrated chamber that keeps the dry debris away from the mopping functions. —Shea Simmons, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mappe

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1709, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing mop

• dry mop
• dust mop
• mop up

Kids Definition

mop

1 of 2 noun

ˈmäp 

1

: a tool for cleaning made of a bundle of cloth or yarn or a sponge fastened to a handle

2

: something resembling a mop

a tangled mop of hair

mop

2 of 2 verb

mopped; mopping

: to wipe or clean with or as if with a mop

mop the floor

mopped my brow with a handkerchief