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
Verb (1)
decided to let the kids nap for a few more minutes before waking them
I'm just going to nap the entire afternoon
Noun (1)
so tired that she needed to take a refreshing nap before soccer practice
Noun (2)
high-quality suede has a good, even nap
Recent Examples on the Web
Toria Sheffield, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Seniors, on the other hands, may be content with a cozy corner to nap in.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
And the music videos, as usual, will be bursting full of bright colors and energy similar to a children’s pizza party right before nap time.
—Sopan Deb, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for nap 
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Verb
In a video posted to her Instagram on Sunday, Jan. 19, the 43-year-old reality star shared footage of her 2-year-old son, Phoenix, cozily napping in a blanket alongside two of their beloved pups.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Seniors, on the other hands, may be content with a cozy corner to nap in.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
Ann Hodges was taking a nap on her sofa in November 1954 in her home near Sylacauga, Alabama, when a grapefruit-sized rock came through the ceiling, bounced off her radio and hit her on her side.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
And the music videos, as usual, will be bursting full of bright colors and energy similar to a children’s pizza party right before nap time.
—Sopan Deb, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for nap
Articles Related to nap
Dictionary Entries Near nap
Cite this Entry
“Nap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nap. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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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