Definition

1. Noun:

   • The upper side of the thighs of a seated person: The flat area formed by the thighs when a person is sitting down.
   • A single circuit around a track or course: One complete trip around a racecourse or a prescribed path.
   • A hanging or overlapping part: A part of a garment or material that lies over another part.
   • The act of taking liquid into the mouth with the tongue: The action of licking up a liquid.

2. Verb:

   • To take up (liquid) with the tongue: To drink by licking.
   • To wash or flow against gently: For water to move and touch something with a light, repetitive motion.
   • To overtake (a competitor in a race) by being at least one full circuit ahead: To pass another competitor who is one or more complete laps behind.
   • To lie partly over or alongside something: To overlap.

Usage

• As a noun (physical area):
  • The cat settled comfortably in her lap.
  • She folded her hands in her lap.
• As a noun (circuit):
  • He finished the final lap in record time.
  • The race is 50 laps long.
• As a verb (drinking):
  • The kitten lapped the milk from the saucer.
• As a verb (water movement):
  • Waves gently lapped the shore.

Examples

• Noun Examples:
  • She held the book open on her lap. (The flat area of the thighs)
  • The runner is in the lead by two laps. (Circuits of a track)
  • Ensure a good lap of the roofing material to prevent leaks. (Overlapping part)
• Verb Examples:
  • The dog lapped water noisily from its bowl. (Drinking with the tongue)
  • The champion managed to lap three other cars during the race. (Overtaking by a full circuit)
  • The tiles should lap over each other by about an inch. (To overlap)

Advanced Usage

• "In the lap of luxury": Living in extremely comfortable and wealthy conditions.
  • After winning the lottery, they lived in the lap of luxury.
• "Drop/fall into someone's lap": To be acquired by someone without any effort on their part.
  • The perfect job just fell into his lap.
• "Lap up": To accept or enjoy something eagerly and uncritically.
  • The audience lapped up every word of his inspiring speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Overlap (verb/noun): To lie over and partly cover something else; the area where this happens.
  • The two theories overlap in several areas.
• Lapel (noun): The part on each side of a coat or jacket immediately below the collar that is folded back.
  • He wore a flower on his lapel.

Synonyms

• Noun (thigh area): Knees.
• Noun (circuit): Circuit, round, loop.
• Verb (drink): Lick, slurp.
• Verb (overlap): Overlie, overlay.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Lap up: To consume or accept something eagerly.
  • The students lapped up the new information.
• Lap over: To extend over and cover part of something else; to overlap.
  • The fabric is designed to lap over the edge.

Related Idioms

• In the lap of the gods: Beyond human control; dependent on fate or chance.
  • The outcome of the surgery is in the lap of the gods now.

Noun

1. touching with the tongue
   • the dog's laps were warm and wet
2. movement once around a course
   • he drove an extra lap just for insurance
3. a flap that lies over another part
   • the lap of the shingles should be at least ten inches
4. the part of a piece of clothing that covers the thighs
   • his lap was covered with food stains
5. an area of control or responsibility
   • the job fell right in my lap
6. the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
   • he picked up the little girl and plopped her down in his lap

Verb

1. wash or flow against
   • the waves laved the shore
2. take up with the tongue
   • The cat lapped up the milk
   • the cub licked the milk from its mother's breast
3. move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound
   • The bubbles swoshed around in the glass
   • The curtain swooshed open
4. pass the tongue over
   • the dog licked her hand
5. lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another