chop

1 of 4

verb (1)

chopped; chopping

transitive verb

1
a
: to cut into or sever usually by repeated blows of a sharp instrument
b
: to cut into pieces
often used with up
chop up an onion
c
: to weed and thin out (young cotton)
d
: to cut as if by chopping
chop prices
a bridge chops the lake in two
2
: to strike (something, such as a ball) with a short quick downward stroke
3
: to subject to the action of a chopper
chop a beam of light

intransitive verb

1
: to make a quick stroke or repeated strokes with or as if with a sharp instrument (such as an ax)
2
archaic : to move or act suddenly or violently

chop

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: a forceful usually slanting blow with or as if with an ax or cleaver
b
: a sharp downward blow or stroke
2
: a small cut of meat often including part of a rib see lamb illustration
3
: a mark made by or as if by chopping
4
: material that has been chopped up
5
a
: a short abrupt motion (as of a wave)
b
: a stretch of choppy sea
6
7
chiefly British : abrupt elimination or removal (as from a job)
it is the very top men who have got the chopDaily Mirror

chop

3 of 4

verb (2)

chopped; chopping

intransitive verb

1
: to change direction
2
: to veer with or as if with wind

chop

4 of 4

noun (2)

1
a
: a seal or official stamp or its impression
b
: a license validated by a seal
2
a
: a mark on goods or coins to indicate nature or quality
b
: a kind, brand, or lot of goods bearing the same chop
c
: quality, grade
of the first chop
Phrases
chop logic
: to argue with sophistical reasoning and minute distinctions

Examples of chop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Crab deviled eggs, Iberico pork chops, lamb chops and prime rib are just a few of the items available for the weekend. Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2024 After multiple realtor changes and price chops, Grillo finally snagged the cool digs at a bargain-basement $6.6 million price, a nearly 50% discount off the original sticker. James McClain, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 Oh, and don’t forget about supermodel Gigi Hadid’s major chop over the weekend. Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 While scanning the menu, the man looked over at my dinner and asked me how my lamb chops were. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2024 Given the team’s depth and defensive chops, the answer to that question is yes. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Lamb shanks, shoulder, and leg (bone-in or boneless) are best for braising or slow-cooking, whereas quick-cooking lamb chops can be seared, roasted, or grilled. Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appétit, 29 Feb. 2024 His musical chops are undeniable and there’s a physicality to his playing that definitely adds to the intensity of the entire band’s performance. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 24 Feb. 2024 The actor last proved his vocal chops in December’s Wonka, which took the box office by storm upon its release. Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
After debuting a brand new bob that was freshly chopped in over Oscars weekend, Hadid's had time to settle into her new hairstyle and make the cut her own. Elle Turner, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2024 As the song rolled into its rock section, Gosling karate chopped pink boards to showcase his Ken-liness before being spun around as cutouts of vintage Barbie faces moved in time with him. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 On his 15th birthday, the Durango teen spent a cold December afternoon chopping wood to help neighbors who couldn’t afford to heat their homes. The Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Two days after my visit to Utah, Jenny’s father, Tom, had a heart attack while chopping firewood. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 Separately, a biotech company, Exelixis, disclosed a decision to chop 143 jobs in Alameda, where the life sciences firm has its headquarters. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 Tapping in to this decade’s hottest hairstyle, Cruz’s razor-sharp bob was chopped to sit about an inch below her jawline, and subsequently framed her face in all the right ways. Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2024 After all, chopping, mixing, preparing imaginary banquets, and all that pretend play—also known as symbolic or imaginative play—helps promote creative thinking, problem-solving, and independence. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Mar. 2024 Unlike most of the old-growth pines, it was not chopped for lumber after its resin was tapped. Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English chappen, choppen — more at chap

Verb (2)

Middle English chappen, choppen to barter

Noun (2)

Hindi chāp & Urdu chhāp stamp

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of chop was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near chop

Cite this Entry

“Chop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chop. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chop

1 of 3 verb
chopped; chopping
1
: to cut by striking especially over and over with something sharp
chop down a tree
2
: to cut into small pieces
chop onions
3
: to strike quickly or again and again

chop

2 of 3 noun
1
: a sharp downward blow or stroke (as with an ax)
2
: a small cut of meat often including a part of a rib
3
: a short quick motion (as of a wave)

chop

3 of 3 verb
chopped; chopping
: to change direction
Etymology

Verb

Middle English chappen, choppen "to cut, crack"

Verb

Middle English choppen, chappen "to trade, barter"

More from Merriam-Webster on chop

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!