Word
lap
Meanings
the upper part of the legs of a seated person, used for holding things or someone
one complete circuit around a track or course in a race
to drink a liquid by touching it with the tongue in quick movements (especially of an animal)
Definition
A lap is the upper part of your legs when you are sitting down.
Your lap is the area formed by your thighs when you sit. People often place objects there or hold a child or pet there. In sports and racing, a lap is one complete circuit of a track or course. As a verb, it can mean to drink a liquid with the tongue or for waves to touch something gently and repeatedly.
Examples
- I balanced the laptop on my lap and drafted the proposal on the train.
- You can keep the gift on your lap until we find a place to set it down.
- He completed his final lap with a controlled sprint, refusing to look over his shoulder.
- They watched the tide lap against the rocks while their friends took photos nearby.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse lap (the upper legs when sitting) with leg, so they say “on my legs” when “on my lap” is intended.
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