cup

[ kuhp ]

noun

1. a small, open container made of china, glass, metal, paper, plastic, etc., sometimes having a handle and used chiefly as a receptacle from which to drink hot or cold beverages, soup, etc.
2. the bowllike part of a goblet or the like.
3. a cup with its contents:

   You look exhausted—go sit down and I'll bring you a cup of tea.

4. the quantity contained in a cup:

   He drank a cup of water before bed.

5. a unit of capacity, equal to 8 fluid ounces (237 milliliters) or 16 tablespoons; half-pint.
6. an ornamental bowl, vase, etc., especially of precious metal, offered as a prize for a contest.
7. any of various beverages, such as a mixture of wine and other ingredients:

   claret cup.

8. the chalice used in the Eucharist.
9. the wine of the Eucharist.
10. something to be partaken of or endured; one's portion, as of joy or suffering.
11. any cuplike utensil, organ, part, cavity, etc.
12. either of the two forms that cover and usually support the breasts in a bra or other garment, such as a bathing suit.
13. an athletic supporter reinforced with rigid plastic or metal for added protection.
14. Golf.
    1. the metal receptacle within the hole.
    2. the hole itself.
15. Cup, Astronomy. the constellation Crater.
16. cupping glass ( def ).
17. Metalworking. a cylindrical shell closed at one end, especially one produced in the first stages of a deep-drawing operation.
18. Mathematics. the cuplike symbol ∪, used to indicate the union of two sets. Compare union ( def 10a ).
19. cups, Archaic. the drinking of intoxicating liquors.

verb (used with object)

, cupped, cup·ping.

1. to take or place in, or as in, a cup:

   He cupped his ear with the palm of his hand.

2. to form into a cuplike shape:

   He cupped his hands.

3. to use a cupping glass on.
4. Metalworking. to form (tubing, containers, etc.) by punching hot strip or sheet metal and drawing it through a die. Compare deep-draw.

cup

/ kʌp /

noun

1. a small open container, usually having one handle, used for drinking from
2. the contents of such a container

   that cup was too sweet

3. Also calledteacupcupful a unit of capacity used in cooking equal to approximately half a pint, 8 fluid ounces, or about one quarter of a litre
4. something resembling a cup in shape or function, such as the flower base of some plants of the rose family or a cuplike bodily organ
5. either of two cup-shaped parts of a brassiere, designed to support the breasts
6. a cup-shaped trophy awarded as a prize
7. 1. a sporting contest in which a cup is awarded to the winner
   2. ( as modifier )

      a cup competition

8. a mixed drink with one ingredient as a base, usually served from a bowl

   claret cup

9. golf the hole or metal container in the hole on a green
10. the chalice or the consecrated wine used in the Eucharist
11. one's lot in life
12. in one's cups
    drunk
13. one's cup of tea informal.
    one's chosen or preferred thing, task, company, etc

    she's not my cup of tea

verb

1. to form (something, such as the hands) into the shape of a cup
2. to put into or as if into a cup
3. archaic.
   to draw blood to the surface of the body of (a person) by using a cupping glass

Derived Forms

• ˈcupˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• cuplike adjective
• under·cup noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cup¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English cuppe, from Latin cuppa, variant of cūpa “cask, tub,” apparently akin to Greek kýpellon “goblet,” Sanskrit kūpa- “hole, vessel, well”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cup¹

Old English cuppe, from Late Latin cuppa cup, alteration of Latin cūpa cask

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in one's cups, intoxicated; drunk.

More idioms and phrases containing cup

In addition to the idiom beginning with cup , also see in one's cups .

Example Sentences

Nottinghamshire's women's side will continue to play as The Blaze, who beat South East Stars to win the last Charlotte Edwards Cup final last June.

From BBC

There will be no winter break in this campaign either - meaning clubs will be playing pretty much solidly until the first World Cup qualifiers - and next Nations League games - take place in March.

From BBC

The Carabao Cup quarter-finals are also being played the week before Christmas - and European games continue through December as a result of the new formats.

From BBC

If he fulfils his remit and wins the 2026 World Cup, would he walk away?

From BBC

By winning Group B4, Wales not only secured an instant return to the top tier of the Nations League, but also all but guaranteed at least a play-off for the World Cup.

From BBC

Related Words

• bowl
• drink
• mug