strap

American  

[strap] / stræp /

noun

1. a narrow strip of flexible material, especially leather, as for fastening or holding things together.

2. a looped band by which an item may be held, pulled, lifted, etc., as a bootstrap or a ring that standing passengers may hold on to in a bus, subway, or the like.

3. a strop for a razor.

4. a long, narrow object or piece of something; strip; band.

5. an ornamental strip or band.

6. shoulder strap.

7. watchband.

8. Machinery. a shallow metal fitting surrounding and retaining other parts, as on the end of a rod.

9. Nautical, Machinery. strop.

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verb (used with object)

strapped, strapping

1. to fasten or secure with a strap or straps.

2. to fasten (a thing) around something in the manner of a strap.

3. to sharpen on a strap or strop.

   to strap a razor.

4. to beat or flog with a strap.

strap British  

/ stræp /

noun

1. a long strip of leather or similar material, for binding trunks, baggage, or other objects

2. a strip of leather or similar material used for carrying, lifting, or holding

3. a loop of leather, rubber, etc, suspended from the roof in a bus or train for standing passengers to hold on to

4. a razor strop

5. commerce a triple option on a security or commodity consisting of one put option and two call options at the same price and for the same period Compare strip 2

6. derogatory a shameless or promiscuous woman

7. a beating with a strap as a punishment

8. short for shoulder strap

9. informal to achieve one's full potential or become fully effective

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verb

1. to tie or bind with a strap

2. to beat with a strap

3. to sharpen with a strap or strop

Other Word Forms

• restrap verb (used with object)
• straplike adjective
• strappable adjective
• understrap noun

Etymology

Origin of strap

First recorded in 1565–75; variant of strop

Example Sentences

Of course, if you’re strapped for cash, you might need to look elsewhere.

From Salon

The astronauts who will strap into Orion about four hours before launch have spent years training together.

From BBC

This included strapping the sensors to a vibration table and giving them a solid shake to make sure they could handle the G-forces.

From Los Angeles Times

“Ahem,” the salty woman says again, nudging one of my backpack straps with the pointed toe of her red patent high heel.

From Literature

And in a city strapped for cash but drowning in ultrawealthy residents, the checks are rolling in.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• belt
• harness
• leash