verb
zap
zap
verb
1
To hit or destroy something suddenly with a burst of energy, electricity, or force (often used loosely, including in games or fiction).
"The alien zapped the spaceship with a laser beam."
"One touch of the fence and it'll zap you."
2
To heat food quickly in a microwave.
"Just zap the leftovers for a minute and they'll be fine."
noun
1
A sudden jolt or burst, especially of electricity.
"She got a nasty zap from the frayed cable."
How to Use Zap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo strike or destroy with a quick burst of energy, or informally, to microwave something.
When to use it
Casual, informal word — common in speech, comics, and games rather than formal writing.
Common pairings
zap it in the microwave
zapped by lightning
zap the aliens
Word Forms
zapped past tense, zaps plural, zaps singular
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Etymology
An imitative word from 1920s American English, invented to mimic the sound of a sudden electric burst — first popularized in comic strips.