Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense laps, present participle lapping, past tense, past participle lapped
1. countable noun
If you have something on your lap when you are sitting down, it is on top of your legs and near to your body.
She waited quietly with her hands in her lap.
Hugh glanced at the child on her mother's lap.
2. countable noun
In a race, a competitor completes a lap when they have gone round a course once.
...that last lap of the race.
On lap two, Baker edged forward.
Synonyms: circuit, course, round, tour More Synonyms of lap
3. verb
In a race, if you lap another competitor, you go past them while they are still on the previous lap.
He was caught out while lapping a slower rider. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: overtake, pass, leave behind, go past More Synonyms of lap
4. countable noun
A lap of a long journey is one part of it, between two points where you stop.
I had thought we might travel as far as Oak Valley, but we only managed the firstlap of the journey. [+ of]
5. verb
When water laps against something such as the shore or the side of a boat, it touches it gently and makes a soft sound.
[written]
...the water that lapped against the pillars of the boathouse. [VERB preposition/adverb]
With a rising tide the water was lapping at his chin before rescuers arrived. [VERB preposition/adverb]
The building was right on the river and the water lapped the walls. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: ripple, wash, splash, slap More Synonyms of lap
lappinguncountable noun
The only sound was the lapping of the waves. [+ of]
6. verb
When an animal laps a drink, it uses short quick movements of its tongue to take liquid up into its mouth.
The cat lapped milk from a dish. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: drink, sip, lick, swallow More Synonyms of lap
Lap up means the same as lap.
She poured some water into a plastic bowl. Faust, her Great Dane, lapped it up withrelish. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
7.
See in the lap of the gods
8.
See in the lap of luxury
Phrasal verbs:
See lap up
More Synonyms of lap
lap in British English1
(læp)
noun
1.
one circuit of a racecourse or track
2.
a stage or part of a journey, race, etc
3.
a.
an overlapping part or projection
b.
the extent of overlap
4.
the length of material needed to go around an object
5.
a rotating disc coated with fine abrasive for polishing gemstones
6.
any device for holding a fine abrasive to polish materials
7. metallurgy
a defect in rolled metals caused by the folding of a fin onto the surface
8.
a sheet or band of fibres, such as cotton, prepared for further processing
verbWord forms: laps, lapping or lapped
9. (transitive)
to wrap or fold (around or over)
he lapped a bandage around his wrist
10. (transitive)
to enclose or envelop in
he lapped his wrist in a bandage
11.
to place or lie partly or completely over or project beyond
12. (tr; usually passive)
to envelop or surround with comfort, love, etc
lapped in luxury
13. (intransitive)
to be folded
14. (transitive)
to overtake (an opponent) in a race so as to be one or more circuits ahead
15. (transitive)
to polish or cut (a workpiece, gemstone, etc) with a fine abrasive, esp to hone (mating metal parts) against each other with an abrasive
16.
to form (fibres) into a sheet or band
Derived forms
lapper (ˈlapper)
noun
Word origin
C13 (in the sense: to wrap): probably from lap1
lap in British English2
(læp)
verbWord forms: laps, lapping or lapped
1.
(of small waves) to wash against (a shore, boat, etc), usually with light splashing sounds
2. (often foll by up)
(esp of animals) to scoop (a liquid) into the mouth with the tongue
noun
3.
the act or sound of lapping
4.
a thin food for dogs or other animals
Derived forms
lapper (ˈlapper)
noun
Word origin
Old English lapian; related to Old High German laffan, Latin lambere, Greek laptein
lap in British English3
(læp)
noun
1.
the area formed by the upper surface of the thighs of a seated person
2. Also called: lapful
the amount held in one's lap
3.
a protected place or environment
in the lap of luxury
4.
any of various hollow or depressed areas, such as a hollow in the land
5.
the part of one's clothing that covers the lap
6. drop in someone's lap
7. in the lap of the gods
Word origin
Old English læppa flap; see lobe, lappet, lop2
lap in American English1
(læp)
noun
1. Rare
the loose lower part of a garment, which may be doubled or folded over; skirt of a coat or gown
2.
the front part of the skirt when it is held up to form a hollow place in which thingscan be carried
3.
a.
the front part from the waist to the knees of a person in a sitting position
b.
the part of the clothing covering this
4.
anything hollow like a lap, as a valley
5.
that in which a person or thing rests or is cared for, sheltered, or coddled
6.
a part extending over another part; overlapping part
7.
a.
such extension; overlapping
b.
amount or place of this
8.
a turn or loop, as of a rope around a post
9.
a rotating disk for cutting and polishing glass, gems, etc.
10.
a.
one complete circuit around a racetrack, in a race consisting of more than one
b.
one part or stage of an extended project
11.
the act or condition of lapping
verb transitiveWord forms: lapped or ˈlapping
12.
to fold (over or on)
13.
to wrap; enfold
14.
to hold in or as in the lap; envelop
lapped in luxury
15.
to place partly upon something else
to lap one board over another
16.
to lie partly upon; overlap
one board laps the other
17.
to cut or polish (glass, gems, etc.) with a lap
18.
to get a lap ahead of (an opponent) in a race
verb intransitive
19.
to be folded
rough edges must lap under
20.
to lie partly upon something or upon one another; overlap
21.
to project beyond something in space, or extend beyond something in time
with over
Idioms:
drop into someone's lap
in the lap of luxury
in the lap of the gods
Word origin
ME lappe < OE læppa, fold or hanging part of a garment, skin; akin to Ger lappen < IE base *leb-, lāb-, to hang down > L labare, to totter, labi, to fall, sink, lapsus, a fall
lap in American English2
(læp)
verb intransitive, verb transitiveWord forms: lapped or ˈlapping
1.
to drink (a liquid) by dipping it up with the tongue in the manner of a dog
2.
to move or strike gently with a light splashing sound such as a dog makes in lapping
said of waves, etc.
noun
3.
the act of lapping
4.
the sound of lapping
5.
something that is, or is intended to be, lapped up
Idioms:
lap up
Derived forms
lapper (ˈlapper)
noun
Word origin
ME lapen < OE lapian, akin to MDu lapen, OHG laffan, to lick < IE echoic base *lab-, to lick > L lambere
More idioms containing
lap
land in your lap
in the lap of luxury
in the lap of the gods
fall into someone's lap
Examples of 'lap' in a sentence
lap
We decided to go for another lap and then tried to pit to fix it and then there was no time.
The Sun (2016)
I have been pushing from lap one.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But once the drivers leave for their formation lap before the race, they have to think for themselves.
The Sun (2016)
Of course we all lap up the details, but the sheer volume of wandering trousers in the modern age has blunted moral outrage.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet he then forced us to run laps around between 1am and 2am.
The Sun (2017)
A test of courage as well as skill, with 30 obstacles over an extended four miles over two laps!
The Sun (2016)
The last two laps were the toughest two laps of my entire career.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
From there they watched as the wave lapped around their house.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The pool is ideal for soaking up the autumn sunshine and swimming long laps.
The Sun (2012)
We know it is one lap that we struggle with.
The Sun (2010)
Within the space of a single lap the whole course had been turned to a quagmire.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This wave is now lapping at our shores.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Those present began to cheer as the courageous man completed the final lap of the race.
Christianity Today (2000)
This is a fine thing to be able to do when sitting in the lap of luxury.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We agree he can have another lap to balance things.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Its tastefully appointed rooms are grouped around two elegant lap pools in a beautiful garden.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She ran the first lap in just over a minute as the adrenalin pumped through her.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It was all left to the last two laps.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Some horses complete two laps of the course before their riders realise.
The Sun (2015)
Maybe another cup of coffee while watching the waves lap the shore.
The Sun (2016)
They will also get a passenger ride with a highly trained driver on a hot lap of the circuit.
The Sun (2016)
Take a lap around your building.
The Sun (2009)
But two more decisive moments lay ahead after 52 laps.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
With a hugely impressive display over the 52 laps of the track.
The Sun (2011)
With two laps to go he moved past the Spaniard into first place.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It's the longest lap dance in history.
The Sun (2009)
So, you can hear that motivational track when one more lap would otherwise be too much.
The Sun (2013)
She did not need to take such a risk in the opening lap of a race with a medal very much in her grasp.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But which hoops can handle a sporty road ride AND the odd lap on the track too?
The Sun (2010)
But my goal was to get pole and my last two laps were the best I had all weekend.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
lap
British English: lap /læp/ NOUN
Your lap is the flat area formed by your thighs when you are sitting down.
She waited quietly with her hands in her lap.
American English: lap
Arabic: حُضْنٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: colo
Chinese: 大腿的上方
Croatian: krilo
Czech: klín část těla
Danish: skød
Dutch: schoot
European Spanish: regazo
Finnish: syli
French: tour piste
German: Schoß
Greek: γόνατα
Italian: grembo
Japanese: ひざ
Korean: 무릎
Norwegian: fang
Polish: kolana
European Portuguese: colo
Romanian: poală
Russian: колени
Latin American Spanish: regazo
Swedish: knä
Thai: ตัก
Turkish: kucak
Ukrainian: коліна
Vietnamese: lòng ngồi vào
British English: lap VERB
In a race, if you lap another competitor, you go past them while they are still on the previous lap.
He was caught out while lapping a slower rider.
American English: lap
Brazilian Portuguese: lamber
Chinese: 比…领先一圈
European Spanish: sacar una vuelta de ventaja
French: prendre un tour d'avance sur
German: überrunden
Italian: doppiare
Japanese: １周以上リードする
Korean: 트랙 한 바퀴 앞서다
European Portuguese: lamber
Latin American Spanish: sacar una vuelta de ventaja
All related terms of 'lap'
lap up
If you say that someone laps up something such as information or attention , you mean that they accept it eagerly, usually when you think they are being foolish for believing that it is sincere .
gun lap
the final lap of a race, signaled by the firing of a starter's pistol as the runner in the lead begins the lap
lap dog
any pet dog small enough to be held in the lap
LAP-BAND
a device fitted around the stomach to reduce its capacity as an aid to losing weight
lap belt
a seat belt secured to the framework of a seat and fastening across the lap of a driver or a passenger
lap-chart
a log of every lap covered by each car in a race, showing the exact position throughout
lap dance
an erotic dance by a striptease artist performed mostly in the lap of a customer
lap joint
a joint made by placing one member over another and fastening them together
lap robe
a blanket to cover the legs of someone who is sitting down, or in a wheelchair
lap dancer
a scantily dressed woman who dances erotically for individual members of the audience
lap dancing
Lap dancing is a type of entertainment in a bar or club in which a woman who is wearing very few clothes dances in a sexy way close to customers or sitting on their laps.
victory lap
a ceremonial circuit of a racing track , etc, by the winner of a race
lap dissolve
the technique of allowing the end of one scene to overlap the beginning of the next scene by fading out the former while fading in the latter
lap of honour
If the winner of a race or game does a lap of honour , they run or drive slowly around a race track or sports field in order to receive the applause of the crowd .
land in your lap
if a problem lands in someone's lap , they are forced to deal with it although it is not really their responsibility
drop in someone's lap
give someone the responsibility of
lap and diagonal belt
A lap and diagonal belt is a strap attached to a seat in a vehicle that extends horizontally in front of the hips and diagonally from the outer shoulder across the chest . You fasten it across your body in order to prevent yourself being thrown out of the seat if there is a sudden movement or stop.
lap and shoulder belt
a car seat belt
drop into someone's lap
to cause to be someone's responsibility
fall into someone's lap
if something good falls into someone's lap , it happens to them without any effort on their part
in the lap of luxury
If you say that someone lives in the lap of luxury , you mean that they live in conditions of great comfort and wealth .
in the lap of the gods
If you say that a situation is in the lap of the gods , you mean that its success or failure depends entirely on luck or on things that are outside your control.
Chinese translation of 'lap'
lap
(læp)
n(c)
[of person]大腿的上方 (dàtuǐ de shàngfāng)
(in race) 圈 (quān)
vt
[milk etc] (also lap up) 舔 (tiǎn)
[shore, cliff, pier] (also lap against) 拍打 (pāidǎ)
[competitor] (in race) 领(領)先 ... 一圈 (lǐngxiān ... yī quān)
vi
to lap against sth[waves, water]拍打某物 (pāidǎ mǒuwù)
(noun)
Definition
one circuit of a racecourse or track
the last lap of the race
Synonyms
circuit
She made a slow circuit of the room.
course
On the Tour de France, cyclists cover a course of over 2,000 miles.
round
The consultant did his morning round.
tour
a cricket tour of the West indies
leg
The first leg of the journey was by boat.
distance
stretch
circle
The flag was red with a large white circle.
The monument consists of a circle of gigantic stones.
orbit
the point at which the planet's orbit is closest to the sun
loop
1 (verb)
Definition
to overtake (an opponent) in a race so as to be one or more circuits ahead
He was caught out while lapping a slower rider.
Synonyms
overtake
He overtook the truck and pulled into the inside lane.
pass
A car passed me going quite fast.
leave behind
go past
get ahead of
outdistance
He managed to outdistance his pursuers.
2 (verb)
Definition
to enfold or wrap around
Synonyms
wrap
She wrapped the baby in a blanket.
turn
As the wheel turned, the potter shaped the clay.
cover
He covered his head with a turban.
twist
She twisted her hair into a bun.
fold
an object folded neatly in tissue-paper
swathe
She swathed herself in thin black fabrics.
envelop
the thick black cloud of smoke that enveloped the area
swaddle
enfold
Wood was comfortably enfolded in a woolly dressing-gown.
1 (verb)
Definition
(of small waves) to wash against (the shore or a boat) with light splashing sounds
the water that lapped against the pillars of the pier
Synonyms
ripple
Throw a pebble in a pool and it ripples.
wash
The sea washed against the shore.
splash
waves splashing against the side of the boat
slap
swish
gurgle
a narrow channel along which water gurgles
slosh
The water sloshed around the bridge.
purl
plash
2 (verb)
Definition
(esp. of animals) to scoop (a liquid) into the mouth with the tongue
The kitten lapped milk from a dish.
Synonyms
drink
He drank his cup of tea.
sip
Jessica sipped her drink thoughtfully.
lick
The dog licked the man's hand excitedly.
swallow
He poured himself a glass of water and swallowed it down.
gulp
She quickly gulped her tea.
sup
phrasal verb
See lap something up
Additional synonyms
in the sense of circle
Definition
something formed or arranged in the shape of a circle
The flag was red with a large white circle.The monument consists of a circle of gigantic stones.
Synonyms
ring,
round,
band,
disc,
loop,
hoop,
cordon,
perimeter,
halo
in the sense of course
Definition
an area on which a sport is played or a race is held
On the Tour de France, cyclists cover a course of over 2,000 miles.
Synonyms
racecourse,
race,
circuit,
cinder track,
lap
in the sense of cover
Definition
to put a garment on
He covered his head with a turban.
Synonyms
clothe,
invest,
dress,
wrap,
envelop
Synonyms of 'lap'
lap
Explore 'lap' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of enfold
Definition
to cover (something) by, or as if by, wrapping something round it
Wood was comfortably enfolded in a woolly dressing-gown.
Synonyms
wrap,
surround,
enclose,
wrap up,
encompass,
shroud,
immerse,
swathe,
envelop,
sheathe,
enwrap
in the sense of envelop
Definition
to cover, surround, or enclose
the thick black cloud of smoke that enveloped the area
Synonyms
enclose,
cover,
hide,
surround,
wrap around,
embrace,
blanket,
conceal,
obscure,
veil,
encompass,
engulf,
cloak,
shroud,
swathe,
encircle,
encase,
swaddle,
sheathe,
enfold,
enwrap
in the sense of fold
an object folded neatly in tissue-paper
Synonyms
wrap up,
wrap,
enclose,
envelop,
do up,
enfold
in the sense of gulp
Definition
to swallow (a drink or food) rapidly in large mouthfuls
She quickly gulped her tea.
Synonyms
swallow,
bolt,
devour,
gobble,
knock back (informal),
wolf,
swig (informal),
swill,
guzzle,
quaff
in the sense of gurgle
Definition
(of water) to make low bubbling noises when flowing
a narrow channel along which water gurgles
Synonyms
ripple,
lap,
bubble,
splash,
murmur,
babble,
burble,
purl,
plash
in the sense of leg
Definition
a single stage, lap, or length in a relay race
The first leg of the journey was by boat.
Synonyms
stage,
part,
section,
stretch,
lap,
segment,
portion
in the sense of lick
Definition
to pass the tongue over in order to taste, wet, or clean
The dog licked the man's hand excitedly.
Synonyms
taste,
lap,
tongue,
touch,
wash,
brush
in the sense of orbit
Definition
the curved path followed by something, such as a heavenly body or spacecraft, in its motion around another body
the point at which the planet's orbit is closest to the sun
Synonyms
path,
course,
track,
cycle,
circle,
revolution,
passage,
rotation,
trajectory,
sweep,
ellipse,
circumgyration
in the sense of outdistance
Definition
to leave (other competitors) behind in a race
He managed to outdistance his pursuers.
Synonyms
leave behind,
lose,
escape,
get away from,
shake off,
outstrip,
outrun,
leave standing (informal),
outpace
in the sense of pass
Definition
to go by or past (a person or thing)
A car passed me going quite fast.
Synonyms
go by or past,
overtake,
drive past,
lap,
leave behind,
cut up (informal),
pull ahead of
Additional synonyms
in the sense of round
Definition
a series of calls
The consultant did his morning round.
Synonyms
course,
turn,
tour,
circuit,
beat,
series,
schedule,
routine,
compass,
ambit
in the sense of sip
Definition
to drink (a liquid) in small mouthfuls
Jessica sipped her drink thoughtfully.
Synonyms
drink,
taste,
sample,
sup
in the sense of slosh
Definition
to throw or pour (liquid) carelessly
The water sloshed around the bridge.
Synonyms
splash,
wash,
slop,
break,
plash
in the sense of splash
waves splashing against the side of the boat
Synonyms
dash,
break,
strike,
wash,
batter,
surge,
smack,
buffet,
plop,
plash
in the sense of swallow
Definition
to pass (food, drink, etc.) through the mouth and gullet to the stomach
He poured himself a glass of water and swallowed it down.
Synonyms
gulp,
drink,
sip,
sup,
swig (informal),
guzzle,
imbibe (formal),
quaff,
neck (slang),
slurp
in the sense of swathe
Definition
to wrap a bandage, garment, or piece of cloth around (a person or part of the body)
She swathed herself in thin black fabrics.
Synonyms
wrap,
drape,
envelop,
bind,
lap,
fold,
bandage,
cloak,
shroud,
swaddle,
bedeck,
furl,
sheathe,
enfold,
bundle up,
muffle up,
enwrap
in the sense of tour
Definition
an overseas trip made by a cricket team, rugby team, etc., to play in several places
a cricket tour of the West indies
Synonyms
circuit,
course,
round
in the sense of turn
Definition
to rotate or move round
As the wheel turned, the potter shaped the clay.
Synonyms
rotate,
spin,
go round (and round),
revolve,
roll,
circle,
wheel,
twist,
spiral,
whirl,
swivel,
pivot,
twirl,
gyrate,
go round in circles,
move in a circle
in the sense of twist
Definition
to turn one end or part while the other end or parts remain still or turn in the opposite direction
She twisted her hair into a bun.
Synonyms
coil,
curl,
wind,
plait,
wrap,
screw,
twirl
in the sense of wash
Definition
(of waves) to flow or sweep against or over (a surface or object), often with a lapping sound