verb
zap
zap
Zap (verb) means to hit or destroy something suddenly with a burst of energy, electricity, or force (often used loosely, including in games or fiction). Example: “The alien zapped the spaceship with a laser beam.”
verb
1
To hit or destroy something suddenly with a burst of energy, electricity, or force (often used loosely, including in games or fiction).
"The alien zapped the spaceship with a laser beam."
"One touch of the fence and it'll zap you."
2
To heat food quickly in a microwave.
"Just zap the leftovers for a minute and they'll be fine."
noun
1
A sudden jolt or burst, especially of electricity.
"She got a nasty zap from the frayed cable."
How to use zap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo strike or destroy with a quick burst of energy, or informally, to microwave something.
When to use it
Casual, informal word — common in speech, comics, and games rather than formal writing.
Common pairings
zap it in the microwave
zapped by lightning
zap the aliens
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Word forms
- Plural
- zaps
- Third person singular
- zaps
- Past tense
- zapped
Fill the gap
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One touch of the fence and it'll _____ you.
Etymology
An imitative word from 1920s American English, invented to mimic the sound of a sudden electric burst — first popularized in comic strips.
Class of 1920
zap joined the language around 1920.
See the full Class of 1920 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “zap” mean?
The word “zap” means to hit or destroy something suddenly with a burst of energy, electricity, or force (often used loosely, including in games or fiction). In plain terms, to strike or destroy with a quick burst of energy, or informally, to microwave something.
How do you pronounce “zap”?
“Zap” is pronounced zap (/zæp/ in IPA).
How do you use “zap” in a sentence?
Here is “zap” used in a sentence: “The alien zapped the spaceship with a laser beam.”
What part of speech is “zap”?
Depending on how it is used, “zap” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “zap” come from?
The word “zap” dates back to around 1920. An imitative word from 1920s American English, invented to mimic the sound of a sudden electric burst — first popularized in comic strips.
How many meanings does “zap” have?
“Zap” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hit or destroy something suddenly with a burst of energy, electricity, or force (often used loosely, including in games or fiction).
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