1
a
: the fluid part of a plant
specifically
: a watery solution that circulates through a plant's vascular system
b(1)
: a body fluid (such as blood) essential to life, health, or vigor
(2)
: bodily health and vigor
2
: a foolish gullible person
sapped; sapping
sapped; sapping
: to proceed by digging a sap
1
: to subvert by digging or eroding the substratum or foundation : undermine
2
a
: to gradually diminish the supply or intensity of
sapped her strength
b
: to weaken or exhaust the energy or vitality of
the illness sapped him of his stamina
3
: to operate against or pierce by a sap
: the extension of a trench to a point beneath an enemy's fortifications
Synonyms
Examples of sap in a Sentence
Noun (1)
a child full of sap and vivacity
some poor sap would probably fall for that telephone scam
the sadistic prison guards freely used their saps to enforce discipline
I may no longer have the sap of youth, but I do have the sapience that comes only with advanced years
Verb (1)
weeks of hard work had sapped her and left her exhausted
Recent Examples on the Web
Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Rio Tinto is making a $6.7 billion bet on lithium, inking a deal for a major producer just as sluggish electric vehicle sales have sapped demand for the once-hot commodity.
—Pete Gannon, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2024
The sap in poinsettias contains chemicals comparable to those in detergents, the American Kennel Club reports.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sap 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Verb
Built on the endearingly boyish charm of lead Grant Gustin, the longest-running (ha) of the Arrowverse shows would eventually overstay its welcome after nine seasons, its initial spark sapped by sister series.
—Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Rio Tinto is making a $6.7 billion bet on lithium, inking a deal for a major producer just as sluggish electric vehicle sales have sapped demand for the once-hot commodity.
—Pete Gannon, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Noun
The most common culprits are mealybugs, teeny insects that suck the sap out of the plant.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2024
The sap in poinsettias contains chemicals comparable to those in detergents, the American Kennel Club reports.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sap
Articles Related to sap
Dictionary Entries Near sap
Cite this Entry
“Sap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sap. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sap
1 of 2 noun1
: the fluid part of a plant
especially
: a watery solution that circulates through a higher plant and carries food and nutrients
2
: bodily health and vigor : vitality sense 3b
3
: a foolish person who is easily tricked or cheated
sap
2 of 2 verb
sapped; sapping
1
: undermine sense 2
heavy waves sapped the seawall
2
: to weaken gradually
illness sapped my strength
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