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shiplap

American  
[ship-lap] / ˈʃɪpˌlæp /

noun

Carpentry.
  1. an overlapping joint, as a rabbet, between two boards joined edge to edge.

  2. boarding joined with such overlapping joints.


Etymology

Origin of shiplap

First recorded in 1850–55; ship 1 + lap 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The back wall of the living room was lined with baby blue shiplap that Adams couldn’t stand.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

Adams says shiplap is kind of played out because of DIYers Chip and Joanna Gaines, but it still can be a focal point if done right and used sparingly.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2024

Discovery, and the shiplap is on the wall.

From The Verge • Aug. 4, 2022

Purple Cherry Architects designed twin bunk rooms for one of his homes, each with a U of six stacked beds trimmed in shiplap siding and painted off-white.

From New York Times • Sep. 2, 2021

I used to help her cross her fingers like shiplap.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck