reap

verb

ˈrēp 

reaped; reaping; reaps

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to cut with a sickle, scythe, or reaping machine

(2)

: to clear of a crop by reaping

b

: to gather by reaping : harvest

2

: obtain, win

intransitive verb

: to reap something

Synonyms

• harvest
• pick

Examples of reap in a Sentence

She is now reaping the benefits of her hard work.

He reaped large profits from his investments.

The workers were out reaping the crops.

The workers were out reaping in the fields.

Recent Examples on the Web

Schools are still playing catch-up to the evolving set of policies surrounding NIL, but there’s also a growing infrastructure of support for student-athletes to help reap the potential benefits of these deals, Rueda said. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025

That mix must be carefully balanced to reap the benefits of both approaches. —Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025

But Hunter wasn’t able to reap the benefits of the machine before Wednesday foiled the plan. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025

Through these changes in price and wait times, the defendants have reaped growing profits, according to the complaint. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repen, from Old English reopan

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing reap

• reap the rewards
• reap what one sows

Rhymes for reap

• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• seep
• sheep
• sleep

Kids Definition

reap

verb

ˈrēp 

1

a

: to cut (as grain) or clear (as a field) with a sickle, scythe, or machine

b

: harvest entry 2 sense 1

reap a crop

2

: to get as a result

reap the benefit of hard work