strap

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a narrow usually flat strip or thong of a flexible material and especially leather used for securing, holding together, or wrapping
b
: something made of a strap forming a loop
a boot strap
c
: a strip of leather used for flogging
d
: strop
2
: a band, plate, or loop of metal for binding objects together or for clamping an object in position
3
: a shoe fastened with a usually buckled strap
4
Ireland : trollop
strappy adjective

strap

2 of 2

verb

strapped; strapping

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to secure with or attach by means of a strap
(2)
: to support (something, such as a sprained joint) with overlapping strips of adhesive plaster
2
: to beat or punish with a strap
3
: strop
4
: to cause to suffer from an extreme scarcity
is often strapped for cash

Examples of strap in a Sentence

Verb We strapped our snowshoes on. She climbed the mountain with a 40-pound pack strapped to her back. She made sure that both children were strapped in.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
From a $7 luggage strap to secure your belongings to a four-pack of AirTags to keep tabs on your bags, this St. Patrick’s Day sale is made for travelers. Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025 The versatile spring-forward piece can be used as a handheld bag or as a crossbody with a detachable strap. Melony Forcier, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
That’s all well and good for the strapping extroverts, the clown-class veterans and the front-row-comedy sitters, but what about the rest of us? Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025 In the photos, which were obtained by Page Six, Bündchen strolled with her infant secured in a baby carrier strapped to her chest. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strap

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of strop, from Middle English, band or loop of leather or rope, from Old English, thong for securing an oar, from Latin struppus band, strap, from Greek strophos twisted band, from strephein to twist

First Known Use

Noun

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of strap was in 1602

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strap. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

strap

1 of 2 noun
1
: a band, plate, or loop of metal for tying objects together or for clamping an object in position
2
a
: a narrow usually flat strip of a flexible material and especially leather used for fastening, holding together, or wrapping
b
: something made of a strap forming a loop
boot strap
c
: a strip of leather used for whipping

strap

2 of 2 verb
strapped; strapping
1
: to fasten with or attach by a strap
2
: to beat or punish with a strap
3
4
: to cause to suffer from an extreme scarcity
I'm strapped for cash

Medical Definition

strap

1 of 2 noun
: a flexible band or strip

strap

2 of 2 transitive verb
strapped; strapping
1
: to secure with or attach by means of a strap
2
: to support (as a sprained joint) with overlapping strips of adhesive plaster

More from Merriam-Webster on strap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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