strap Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position
  2. noun hanger consisting of a loop of leather suspended from the ceiling of a bus or train; passengers hold onto it
  3. noun a band that goes over the shoulder and supports a garment or bag
    shoulder strap.
  4. noun whip consisting of a strip of leather used in flogging
  5. verb tie with a strap
  6. verb beat severely with a whip or rod
    trounce; welt; whip; slash; lash; flog; lather.
    • The teacher often flogged the students
    • The children were severely trounced
  7. verb sharpen with a strap
    • strap a razor
  8. verb secure (a sprained joint) with a strap

WordNet

Strap noun
Etymology
OE. strope, AS. stropp, L. stroppus, struppus, perhaps fr. Gr. a band or cord, fr. to twist, to turn (cf. Strophe). Cf. Strop a strap, a piece of rope.
Definitions
  1. A long, narrow, pliable strip of leather, cloth, or the like; specifically, a strip of thick leather used in flogging.
    A lively cobbler that . . . had scarce passed a day without giving her [his wife] the discipline of the strap. Addison.
  2. Something made of such a strip, or of a part of one, or a combination of two or more for a particular use; as, a boot strap, shawl strap, stirrup strap.
  3. A piece of leather, or strip of wood covered with a suitable material, for sharpening a razor; a strop.
  4. A narrow strip of anything, as of iron or brass. Specifically: -- (a) (Carp. & Mach.) A band, plate, or loop of metal for clasping and holding timbers or parts of a machine. (b) (Naut.) A piece of rope or metal passing around a block and used for fastening it to anything.
  5. (Bot.) (a) The flat part of the corolla in ligulate florets, as those of the white circle in the daisy. (b) The leaf, exclusive of its sheath, in some grasses.
  6. A shoulder strap. See under Shoulder.
Strap transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Strapped ; present participle & verbal noun Strapping
Definitions
  1. To beat or chastise with a strap.
  2. To fasten or bind with a strap. Cowper.
  3. To sharpen by rubbing on a strap, or strop; as, to strap a razor.

Webster 1913