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.

---

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

---

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

Those concepts feel vital in a year that strapped concrete boots on our national mood and left us urgently wishing for renewal.

From Salon

Overlooking David’s many strapping older brothers, the wise elder anoints the astonished kid as the next king, but cautions him that the ceremony must be kept secret.

From The Wall Street Journal

These additional long-term obligations are another sign that Oracle will be “significantly strapped for capital” and could have difficulty maintaining its investment-grade credit rating, Luria wrote in a Friday note.

From MarketWatch

The strapped family eking out an existence on $500,000 featured in one such piece had fully-funded retirement and college plans, payments on two luxury cars, “date nights” every other week ... you get the drift.

From Los Angeles Times

Alan Munhall, the September model who was photographed by his wife in their garden with a basket strapped to his waist, wasn’t sure if they’d raise much money but figured it wouldn’t hurt to try.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• belt
• harness
• leash