1 rap | Definition of rap

rap

noun (1)
\ ˈrap How to pronounce rap (audio) \

Definition of rap

 (Entry 1 of 6)

1 : a sharp blow or knock
2a : a sharp rebuke or criticism
b : a negative and often undeserved reputation or charge often used with bum or bad given a bum rap by the press
3a : the responsibility for or adverse consequences of an action refused to take the rap
b : a criminal charge
c : a prison sentence

rap

verb (1)
rapped; rapping

Definition of rap (Entry 2 of 6)

transitive verb

1 : to strike with a sharp blow
2 : to utter suddenly and forcibly
3 : to cause to be or come by raps rap the meeting to order
4 : to criticize sharply

intransitive verb

1 : to strike a quick sharp blow
2 : to make a short sharp sound

rap

verb (2)
rapped also rapt\ ˈrapt How to pronounce rapt (audio) \; rapping

Definition of rap (Entry 3 of 6)

transitive verb

1 : to snatch away or upward
2 : enrapture

rap

noun (2)

Definition of rap (Entry 4 of 6)

: a minimum amount or degree (as of care or consideration) : the least bit doesn't care a rap

rap

verb (3)
rapped; rapping

Definition of rap (Entry 5 of 6)

intransitive verb

1 : to talk freely and frankly
2 : to perform rap music

rap

noun (3)

Definition of rap (Entry 6 of 6)

1 : talk, conversation also : a line of talk : patter
2a : a type of music of African American origin in which rhythmic and usually rhyming speech is chanted to a musical accompaniment enjoys listening to rap often used before another noun rap musica rap album/artist/song
b : a rap song … the group mixes its usual raunch with mock news reports and anti-censorship raps …— Jon Pareles

First Known Use of rap

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1834, in the meaning defined above

Verb (3)

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1967, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for rap

Noun (1)

Middle English rappe

Verb (2)

back-formation from rapt

Noun (2)

perhaps from rap entry 1

Verb (3)

perhaps from rap entry 1

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More Definitions for rap

rap

verb
\ ˈrap How to pronounce rap (audio) \
rapped; rapping

Kids Definition of rap

 (Entry 1 of 4)

: to give a quick sharp blow

rap

noun

Kids Definition of rap (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : a sharp blow or knock
2 : the blame or punishment for something You did it, so you take the rap.

rap

verb
rapped; rapping

Kids Definition of rap (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : to talk freely and informally
2 : to perform rap music

rap

noun

Kids Definition of rap (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : an informal talk : chat
2 : a type of music that usually has a fast rhythm and in which words are spoken instead of sung