lap

/læp/
verb
  1. To drink by taking up liquid with the tongue, as an animal does.
    • The cat lapped up the milk happily.
    • The dog lapped water from its bowl.
    • The thirsty puppy lapped at the puddle.
  2. To overtake an opponent by one full circuit in a race.
    • The fastest runner lapped the entire field.
    • She lapped her rival in the final stretch of the marathon.
    • The champion driver lapped the slower cars on the track.
  3. To fold or wrap something around or over something else.
    • He lapped the rope around the post to secure it.
    • The tailor lapped the fabric edges before sewing.
    • She lapped the blanket over the baby's feet.
  4. To move gently with a soft, splashing sound, like water against a shore.
    • The waves lapped against the side of the boat.
    • The gentle tide lapped the shore all evening.
    • Water lapped at the sandy beach.
noun
  1. The flat area formed by the upper legs of a seated person, used for holding things or a child.
    • The cat curled up on her lap while she read.
    • He placed the baby gently on his lap.
    • She kept her laptop on her lap during the flight.
  2. One complete circuit around a race track or course.
    • He completed the final lap of the race with a burst of speed.
    • The car made a pit stop after every ten laps.
    • The runner finished the first lap in under a minute.
  3. A part of a journey or process; a stage or segment.
    • We are in the final lap of the project before the deadline.
    • Each lap of the hike offered a different view.
    • The first lap of our road trip took us through the mountains.
  4. The amount by which one thing overlaps or extends beyond another.
    • The roof tiles have a lap of about two inches.
    • Make sure there is a proper lap when joining the two boards.
    • The lap of the fabric seam should be at least half an inch.