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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.

See Examples For:

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

The world domination of Joanna Gaines, the queen of shiplap, continued.

From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2021

I used to help her cross her fingers like shiplap.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

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