rap rap /ˈræp/

noun

1. () A reproach for some lapse or misdeed  ( rap , blame )
   a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
    He took the blame for it
   he took the blame for it
    It was a bum rap
   it was a bum rap
   
2. The act of hitting vigorously  ( belt [Informal] , knock , rap , whack [Informal] , whang [Informal] )
   the act of hitting vigorously
    He gave the table a whack
   he gave the table a whack
   
3. Genre of African-American music of the 1980s and 1990s in which rhyming lyrics are chanted to a musical accompaniment; several forms of rap have emerged  ( hip-hop , rap , rap music )
   genre of African-American music of the 1980s and 1990s in which rhyming lyrics are chanted to a musical accompaniment; several forms of rap have emerged
    Eminem is a famous rapper known for his controversial lyrics
   Eminem is a famous rapper known for his controversial lyrics
   
   
4. Voluble conversation  ( rap )
   voluble conversation
   
5. The sound made by a gentle blow  ( pat , rap , tap )
   the sound made by a gentle blow
     He gave a gentle tap on the door to announce his arrival.
   He gave a gentle tap on the door to announce his arrival.
   
6. A gentle blow  ( rap , strike , tap )
   a gentle blow
   

verb

1. () Strike sharply  ( knap [Archaic] , rap )
   strike sharply
    Rap him on the knuckles
   rap him on the knuckles
   
2. Talk volubly  ( rap )
   talk volubly
   
3. (music) perform rap music  ( rap )
   (music) perform rap music
   
4. Make light, repeated taps on a surface  ( knock , pink , rap , tap )
   make light, repeated taps on a surface
    He was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently
   he was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently