1
: a stroke with something broad : slap
2
obsolete
: something broad and flat used for striking
3
: something that is broad, limber, or flat and usually thin and that hangs loose or projects freely: such as
a
: a piece on a garment that hangs free
b
: a part of a book jacket that folds under the book's cover
c
: a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting
d
: an extended part forming the closure (as of an envelope or carton)
4
: the motion of something broad and limber (such as a sail or wing)
5
: a movable auxiliary airfoil usually attached to an airplane wing's trailing edge to increase lift or drag see airplane illustration
7
: a consonant (such as the sound \d\ in ladder and \t\ in latter) characterized by a single rapid contact of the tongue or lower lip against another point in the mouth
called also tap
flapped; flapping
1
: to beat with or as if with a flap
2
: to toss sharply : fling
3
: to move or cause to move in flaps
1
: to sway loosely usually with a noise of striking and especially when moved by wind
2
a
: to beat or pulsate wings or something suggesting wings
b
: to progress by flapping
c
: to flutter ineffectively
3
: to talk foolishly and persistently
Synonyms
Examples of flap in a Sentence
Noun
She opened the tent flap and crawled outside.
the inside flap of a book's cover
a loose flap of skin
Verb
The breeze flapped the sails.
The flag flapped in the breeze.
The bird's wings were flapping.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Karthika Gupta, Parents, 6 Sep. 2023
The pockets have a flap that buttons closed over the zipper for added weatherproofing, and adjustable button cuffs cinch the arms closed.
—Danny Perez, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2023
Garner’s also featured flap back pockets and belt loops, which added a touch of sophistication to her otherwise sporty outfit.
—Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2023
The colorful insects are similar in size to small hummingbirds and can beat their wings at the same rate — up to 70 flaps per second.
—Cari Spencer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
On top of those challenges, the institution has also recently been troubled by protests over a longstanding oil company sponsorship, shutdowns caused by striking workers and a flap over the uncredited use of a translator’s work in a recent show.
—Alex Marshall, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2023
The standout feature we’re obsessed with is that the case comes with a detachable center flap that has a variety of zippered pockets for extra storage.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 28 Aug. 2023
At the time, it wasn’t considered appropriate for authors to put their headshot on the back flap of their books.
—Rachel Seo, Variety, 28 July 2023
Fresh updates to the aforementioned Chanel flap bags are also in heavy rotation.
—Lauren Tappan, Harper's BAZAAR, 24 Aug. 2023
Linze Rice, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2023
That flapping American flag erased any doubt about what lay ahead.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023
The relentless wing flapping inside a hive to dry out the nectar also keeps the hive warm — about 95 degrees, according to McKinney.
—Nicole Haase, Journal Sentinel, 6 June 2023
Curtains flap through broken windows, pictures and clocks are still on the walls and debris is strewn all over.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC News, 26 Aug. 2023
Birds generate thrust by flapping their wings in a figure-eight motion.
—Sarah Wells, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2023
Where Michael Phelps was seemingly constructed to swim laps around everyone with his 6-foot-4 frame and 79-inch wingspan — think back to the image of Phelps flapping his arms around his chest and back — Marchand looks, well, average.
—Scott Bordow, The Arizona Republic, 11 July 2023
But once those ears flap, there’s no denying the majesty of an African elephant.
—Heather Greenwood Davis, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2023
The hawk tried again and again, its wings flapping in her face with each try, distorting her view of what was happening right in front of her.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 9 Aug. 2023
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Noun
The bag has a dedicated laptop storage flap, plenty of pockets, and a main compartment that’s deep enough to store books, gym clothes, or sleepover necessities.
—Karthika Gupta, Parents, 6 Sep. 2023
The pockets have a flap that buttons closed over the zipper for added weatherproofing, and adjustable button cuffs cinch the arms closed.
—Danny Perez, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2023
Garner’s also featured flap back pockets and belt loops, which added a touch of sophistication to her otherwise sporty outfit.
—Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2023
The colorful insects are similar in size to small hummingbirds and can beat their wings at the same rate — up to 70 flaps per second.
—Cari Spencer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
On top of those challenges, the institution has also recently been troubled by protests over a longstanding oil company sponsorship, shutdowns caused by striking workers and a flap over the uncredited use of a translator’s work in a recent show.
—Alex Marshall, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2023
The standout feature we’re obsessed with is that the case comes with a detachable center flap that has a variety of zippered pockets for extra storage.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 28 Aug. 2023
At the time, it wasn’t considered appropriate for authors to put their headshot on the back flap of their books.
—Rachel Seo, Variety, 28 July 2023
Fresh updates to the aforementioned Chanel flap bags are also in heavy rotation.
—Lauren Tappan, Harper's BAZAAR, 24 Aug. 2023
Verb
Macy’s, or a mother elephant and her baby, flapping their ears.
—Linze Rice, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2023
That flapping American flag erased any doubt about what lay ahead.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023
The relentless wing flapping inside a hive to dry out the nectar also keeps the hive warm — about 95 degrees, according to McKinney.
—Nicole Haase, Journal Sentinel, 6 June 2023
Curtains flap through broken windows, pictures and clocks are still on the walls and debris is strewn all over.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC News, 26 Aug. 2023
Birds generate thrust by flapping their wings in a figure-eight motion.
—Sarah Wells, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2023
Where Michael Phelps was seemingly constructed to swim laps around everyone with his 6-foot-4 frame and 79-inch wingspan — think back to the image of Phelps flapping his arms around his chest and back — Marchand looks, well, average.
—Scott Bordow, The Arizona Republic, 11 July 2023
But once those ears flap, there’s no denying the majesty of an African elephant.
—Heather Greenwood Davis, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2023
The hawk tried again and again, its wings flapping in her face with each try, distorting her view of what was happening right in front of her.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 9 Aug. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English flappe
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of flap was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing flap
Dictionary Entries Near flap
Cite this Entry
“Flap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flap. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
flap
1 of 2 noun2
: a broad, limber, or flat piece that hangs loose (as on a pocket or envelope)
3
: the motion or sound of a flap
4
: a movable part of an airplane wing that is attached to the trailing edge of the wing and that is used to increase lift or drag
flap
2 of 2 verb
flapped; flapping
2
: to move or cause to move with a beating motion
flapping its wings
Medical Definition
flap
noun
: a piece of tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use in surgical grafting
More from Merriam-Webster on flap
Nglish: Translation of flap for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of flap for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flap
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