zap

☆ zap (zap)

transitive verb zapped, zap′·ping

to move, strike, stun, smash, kill, defeat, etc. suddenly and with great speed and force
to use a remote control to avoid (a TV commercial or program segment), as by changing channels or skipping ahead on a tape, disc, etc.
to cook or heat in a microwave oven

Etymology: echoic blend < ? z(ip) and (sl)ap, popularized in comic-strip use

intransitive verb

to move, strike, smash, kill, control, as suddenly and with great speed and force
to use a TV remote control, as to change channels or to skip ahead on a tape, disc, etc. he zapped through all the stations

noun

Slang energy, verve, pep, zip, etc.

used to signify sudden, swift action or change

Object

alien: Zap the shuffling aliens, dodging their laser missiles, using the bases for cover to achieve the highest score.
program: By contrast, the End Process button on the Processes tab in Windows XP zaps a program or process immediately.
people: Electrical blasts, to zap people from afar or to wreck havoc with machinery?
pram: It may also be necessary to zap the PRAM of your Macintosh in order for the SpigotPower AV card to be recognized.
cell: Surgery involves removing the tumor and surrounding tissue, whereas chemotherapy zaps cancer cells with highly toxic chemicals.
system: We had to zap the system and completely rebuild from backups.

Modifies a noun

zone: Computerized ten pin bowling, zap zone, video games, pool table and amusements.
reserve: ZAP reserve the right not to admit children for whom fees are in arrears.
command: To delete a molecule prior to loading another use the RasMol zap command.

Modifying Another Word

away: Their own focus groups often tell them that viewers zap away from foreign news.
then: If you want to gain some insight then zap down to your local video store and hire the film ' The Wedding Singer ' .
just: Like I said on Fit Club I've spent my whole life waiting for a pill that would just zap the weight away.
back: Not to make the customer feel like they have been zapped back to the 80's.
n't: He did n't zap Jeremiah for claiming God had tricked Him.
not: In addition, radio is not zapped the way that TV often is.

Noun used with modifier

zip: Zip zap bop All players sit in a circle, passing a clap around.

Adjective complement

b7: Well, I guess they zapped B7 too, right?

Followed by an intransitive particle

up: He wanted to find more work, zap up his showreel and broaden his knowledge of the business.
over: There are 1200 slots a week available so zap over now to fill in the Busking Application Form and get Busking!
down: If you want to gain some insight then zap down to your local video store and hire the film ' The Wedding Singer ' .

Browse dictionary entries near zap