lap

/læp/

/læp/

Other forms: laps; lapped; lapping

Your lap is the top of your thighs when you sit down, where your cat might sit. Lap can also refer to a trip around a racetrack, or to the act of overtaking a competitor by a lap.

Lap is associated with a number of idioms. If something "falls into your lap," you have gotten something without making much effort. For example, maybe you discovered a rare fossil in your yard while looking for your lost baseball. If you sold that fossil for a lot of money, you may find yourself now "sitting in the lap of luxury." That’s a wonderful place to be!

Definitions of lap

1. noun

   the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
   “he picked up the little girl and plopped her down in his lap”

   type of:

   thigh

   the part of the leg between the hip and the knee
2. noun

   the part of a piece of clothing that covers the thighs
   “his lap was covered with food stains”

   synonyms: lap covering

   type of:

   cloth covering

   a covering made of cloth
3. noun

   an area of control or responsibility
   “the job fell right in my lap”

   types:

   lap of the gods

   beyond human control or responsibility

   type of:

   area, arena, domain, field, orbit, sphere

   a particular environment or walk of life
4. noun

   a flap that lies over another part
   “the lap of the shingles should be at least ten inches”

   synonyms: overlap

   types:

   cuff, turnup

   the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg

   lapel

   lap at the front of a coat; continuation of the coat collar

   lappet

   a small lap on a garment or headdress

   revere, revers

   a lapel on a woman's garment; turned back to show the reverse side

   trouser cuff

   a cuff on the bottoms of trouser legs

   type of:

   flap

   any broad, thin, and limber covering attached at one edge; hangs loose or projects freely
5. noun

   movement once around a course
   “he drove an extra lap just for insurance”

   synonyms: circle, circuit

   types:

   pace lap

   the first lap of a car race that prepares the cars for a fast start

   lap of honour, victory lap

   a lap by the winning person or team run to celebrate the victory

   type of:

   locomotion, travel

   self-propelled movement
6. verb

   wash or flow against
   synonyms: lave, wash

   type of:

   flow

   cover or swamp with water
7. verb

   lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
   type of:

   lie

   be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
8. verb

   take up with the tongue
   “The cat lapped up the milk”

   synonyms: lap up, lick

   type of:

   drink, imbibe

   take in liquids
9. verb

   pass the tongue over
   synonyms: lick

   types:

   tongue

   lick or explore with the tongue

   type of:

   stroke

   touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions
10. noun

    touching with the tongue
    “the dog's laps were warm and wet”

    synonyms: lick

    type of:

    touch, touching

    the act of putting two things together with no space between them
11. verb

    move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound
    synonyms: swish, swoosh, swosh

    type of:

    go, sound

    make a certain noise or sound