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Sense: 1-2
| Origin: | Old English lapian |
| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Origin: | Probably from LAP11 in the earlier meaning 'fold, piece of cloth' |
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lap2 past tense and past participle lapped, present participle lapping
1 [intransitive and transitive] if water laps something or laps against something such as the shore or a boat, it moves against it or hits it in small waves 
The tide was lapping the harbour wall.
The tide was lapping the harbour wall.2 also lap up [transitive] if an animal laps water, milk etc, it drinks it by putting its tongue into it
3 [transitive] to pass a competitor in a race who is one complete lap behind you : Erik Gomas spun off the track when trying to lap Andrew Scott.
Erik Gomas spun off the track when trying to lap Andrew Scott. —lapping noun [uncountable] She could hear the soft lapping of the sea.
She could hear the soft lapping of the sea.lap something ↔ up
phrasal verb1 to enjoy something without worrying about whether it is good, true etc : She's lapping up all the attention she's getting. The humour was lapped up by an appreciative crowd.
She's lapping up all the attention she's getting.The humour was lapped up by an appreciative crowd.2 if an animal laps up water, milk etc, it drinks it by putting its tongue into it : The cat began to lap up the milk.
The cat began to lap up the milk.