Library / English Dictionary

ZAP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected forms: zapped    , zapping   

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A sudden event that imparts energy or excitement, usually with a dramatic impact

Example:

they gave it another zap of radiation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("zap" is a kind of...):

event (something that happens at a given place and time)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cook or heat in a microwave oven

Example:

You can microwave the leftovers

Synonyms:

micro-cook; microwave; nuke; zap

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "zap" is one way to...):

cook (transform and make suitable for consumption by heating)

Domain category:

cookery; cooking; preparation (the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

The chefs zap the vegetables

Sense 2

Meaning:

Strike at with firepower or bombs

Example:

zap the enemy

Synonyms:

atomise; atomize; nuke; zap

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "zap" is one way to...):

bomb; bombard (throw bombs at or attack with bombs)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 3

Meaning:

Kill with or as if with a burst of gunfire or electric current or as if by shooting

Example:

in this computer game, space travellers are vaporized by aliens

Synonyms:

vaporize; zap

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "zap" is one way to...):

kill (cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

zapper (an electrical device that can injure or kill by means of electric currents)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Strike suddenly and with force

Example:

This show zaps the viewers with some shocking scenes

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "zap" is one way to...):

affect; impress; move; strike (have an emotional or cognitive impact upon)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Credits