napped; napping
: a hairy, fuzzy, or downy surface (as on a fabric)
British
: a pick or recommendation as a good bet to win a contest (such as a horse race)
also
: one named in a nap
Synonyms
Examples of nap in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
Harmon shared photos of a sweet-looking Oliver, being petted, napping, or as a puppy.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
Arts and crafts during the eclipse are not allowed, and adults, adolescents and mature children are not to sleep or nap.
—The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
Completing the best film nominees is Nanni Moretti’s latest, A Brighter Tomorrow, which napped a total of 7 nominations.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024
The hubs are complete with napping pods, study tables, charging stations, snacks, a microwave and a refrigerator to store meals for their long day on campus.
—Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
In the photos, Teigen and Legend's 9-month-old son, Wren, could be seen napping in his mom's arms, smiling for the camera and playing in a colorful playroom.
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Musk notoriously slept on the factory floors at Tesla before moving to nap under his desk so his team could see him.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
The company is looking to muscle in on China’s increasingly popular camping culture, but the car may also prove a hit with desk jockeys enduring the country’s notoriously grueling office hours and looking for a place to nap.
—Bloomberg, Fortune Asia, 10 Mar. 2024
Deanna Pai, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024
For a taste, nap, rest, and repeat experience, Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill is an excellent choice.
—Mitti Hicks, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
Jimmy Buffet named his final album in 2023 after his grandfather’s description of a nap: Equal Strain on All Parts.
5.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
Or is a trip to an indoor mall or grocery run — if either is open — or a long nap a better plan to escape the rains?
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2024
Keeping a nap around 15 to 20 minutes can boost your alertness while reducing grogginess after waking up.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024
The English mother was slightly altitude-sick and took a nap, while the teenagers did their homework.
—Mark Jenkins, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
This person is no different and a quick power nap with the ACC Tournament playing on a television inside the dressing is in order, suppressing any lingering jitters.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024
Or just plant yourself among the dunes and nap to the sound of the waves lapping.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
In 2016, Tesla said that all the company’s vehicles would be shipped with the hardware necessary to drive themselves—allowing drivers to nap or even send their cars cross-country without anyone inside.
—Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
Harmon shared photos of a sweet-looking Oliver, being petted, napping, or as a puppy.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
Arts and crafts during the eclipse are not allowed, and adults, adolescents and mature children are not to sleep or nap.
—The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
Completing the best film nominees is Nanni Moretti’s latest, A Brighter Tomorrow, which napped a total of 7 nominations.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024
The hubs are complete with napping pods, study tables, charging stations, snacks, a microwave and a refrigerator to store meals for their long day on campus.
—Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
In the photos, Teigen and Legend's 9-month-old son, Wren, could be seen napping in his mom's arms, smiling for the camera and playing in a colorful playroom.
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Musk notoriously slept on the factory floors at Tesla before moving to nap under his desk so his team could see him.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
The company is looking to muscle in on China’s increasingly popular camping culture, but the car may also prove a hit with desk jockeys enduring the country’s notoriously grueling office hours and looking for a place to nap.
—Bloomberg, Fortune Asia, 10 Mar. 2024
Noun
Hopefully, your baby will thank you — with an extremely long and very comfortable nap.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024
For a taste, nap, rest, and repeat experience, Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill is an excellent choice.
—Mitti Hicks, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
Jimmy Buffet named his final album in 2023 after his grandfather’s description of a nap: Equal Strain on All Parts.
5.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
Or is a trip to an indoor mall or grocery run — if either is open — or a long nap a better plan to escape the rains?
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2024
Keeping a nap around 15 to 20 minutes can boost your alertness while reducing grogginess after waking up.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024
The English mother was slightly altitude-sick and took a nap, while the teenagers did their homework.
—Mark Jenkins, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
This person is no different and a quick power nap with the ACC Tournament playing on a television inside the dressing is in order, suppressing any lingering jitters.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024
Or just plant yourself among the dunes and nap to the sound of the waves lapping.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Nap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nap. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nap
1 of 4 verb
napped; napping
1
: to sleep briefly especially during the day
2
: to be off guard
was caught napping
nap
2 of 4 noun
: a short sleep especially during the day
nap
3 of 4 noun
: a hairy or downy surface on a woven fabric or leather
nappy
adjective
ˈnap-ē
nap
4 of 4 verb
napped; napping
: to raise a nap on fabric or leather
Etymology
Verb
Old English hnappian "to doze"
Noun
Middle English noppe "soft surface on a fabric," from early Dutch noppe "tuft of wool, nap"
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