zap
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
zaps;
zapped;
zapping
zaps;
zapped;
zapping
Britannica Dictionary definition of ZAP
informal
1
[+ object]
a
:
to attack, destroy, or kill (someone or something) quickly
— often used figuratively
-
The flowers were zapped by the cold weather.
-
The loss on Monday zapped [=killed] any chance the team had to go on to the finals.
-
He was zapped [=hit] with a finance charge because of a single late payment.
b
:
to hit (someone or something) with electricity
-
Lightning zapped [=struck] the tree. = The tree was zapped by lightning.
-
She won't work with the wiring because she's afraid of getting zapped. [=shocked, electrocuted]
c
:
to shoot (someone or something) with an electric gun, laser, etc.
-
The aliens in the movie zapped people from spaceships.
-
The doctor zapped [=removed] a mole on the patient's back with a laser.
2
[+ object]
informal
:
to heat or cook (something) in a microwave oven
-
She reheated her muffin by zapping it in the microwave for a few seconds.
3
:
to change what you are watching on television by using an electronic device (called a remote control)
[no object]
-
I zapped through the channels for a while before falling asleep.
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We tape the show so we can zap through the commercials.
[+ object]
-
We tape the show so we can zap [=skip] the commercials.
4
a
[no object]
:
to move quickly or suddenly
-
Pain zapped through his ankle.
b
[+ object]
:
to send (something or someone) quickly from one place to another through electronic means
-
He can zap the file to the office from his laptop.
-
The images can be zapped into our homes from anywhere via satellite.
-
In the movie the hero is zapped into the past in a time machine.
