noun

lap

noun

The flat area formed by the thighs of a seated person.

"The cat curled up on her lap and fell asleep."

"He set the laptop down on his lap to type."

One complete circuit of a race track or a length of a swimming pool.

"She swam twenty laps before breakfast."

"He set a new record on the final lap of the race."

verb

To overtake a competitor by completing an extra full circuit ahead of them.

"The lead car lapped the slowest driver twice."

Of an animal, to drink liquid using quick movements of the tongue.

"The dog lapped water noisily from its bowl."

Of waves or water, to strike a surface gently and repeatedly.

"Small waves lapped against the side of the boat."

How to Use Lap

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe top of your legs when sitting, one circuit of a track/pool, or (as a verb) to drink with the tongue or splash gently.

Common pairings

sit on someone's lap run a lap lap up water waves lapping the shore

Word Forms

lapped past tense, lapped past tense, lapt past tense, lapped past tense, lapt past tense, laps plural, laps plural, laps plural, laps singular, laps singular, laps singular

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The cat curled up on her _____ and fell asleep.

Etymology

From Old English læppa, "skirt or flap of a garment," related to a Germanic root for cloth or a hanging piece.

Rhymes for lap

clap flap slap burlap Dunlap overlap thunderclap

See all rhymes for lap →