cup (k?p) n. 1. a. A small open container, usually with a flat bottom and a handle, used for drinking. b. Such a container and its contents. 2. Abbr. c. A unit of capacity or volume equal to 16 tablespoons or 8 fluid ounces (237 milliliters). See Table at measurement.3. The bowl of a drinking vessel. 4. The chalice or the wine used in the celebration of the Eucharist. 5. A decorative cup-shaped vessel awarded as a prize or trophy. 6. Sports A golf hole or the metal container inside a hole. 7. Either of the two parts of a brassiere that fit over the breasts. 8. An athletic supporter having a protective reinforcement of rigid plastic or metal. 9. A sweetened, flavored, usually chilled beverage, especially one made with wine: claret cup. 10. A dish served in a cup-shaped vessel: fruit cup. 11. a. A cuplike object. b. Biology A cuplike structure or organ. 12. A lot or portion to be suffered or enjoyed. tr.v. cupped, cup·ping, cups 1. To shape like a cup: cup one’s hands. 2. To place one’s curved hand or hands over or around: cupped his chin in his hands. 3. To subject to the therapeutic procedure of cupping. Idioms: cup of tea 1. Something that one excels in or enjoys: Opera is not my cup of tea. 2. A matter to be reckoned or dealt with: Recreational sport is relaxing. Professional sport is another cup of tea altogether. in (one’s) cups Intoxicated; drunk. [Middle English cuppe, from Old English, from Late Latin cuppa, drinking vessel, possibly variant of Latin c?pa, tub, cask; see cupola.] American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.cup (k?p) n1. a small open container, usually having one handle, used for drinking from2. the contents of such a container: that cup was too sweet. 3. (Units) Also called: teacup or cupful a unit of capacity used in cooking equal to approximately half a pint, 8 fluid ounces, or about one quarter of a litre4. something resembling a cup in shape or function, such as the flower base of some plants of the rose family or a cuplike bodily organ5. (Clothing & Fashion) either of two cup-shaped parts of a brassiere, designed to support the breasts6. a cup-shaped trophy awarded as a prize7. (General Sporting Terms) a. a sporting contest in which a cup is awarded to the winnerb. (as modifier): a cup competition. 8. (Brewing) a mixed drink with one ingredient as a base, usually served from a bowl: claret cup. 9. (Golf) golf the hole or metal container in the hole on a green10. (Ecclesiastical Terms) the chalice or the consecrated wine used in the Eucharist11. one’s lot in life12. in one’s cups drunk13. one’s cup of tea informal one’s chosen or preferred thing, task, company, etc: she’s not my cup of tea. vb (tr) , cups, cupping or cupped14. to form (something, such as the hands) into the shape of a cup15. to put into or as if into a cup16. (Medicine) archaic to draw blood to the surface of the body of (a person) by using a cupping glass[Old English cuppe, from Late Latin cuppa cup, alteration of Latin c?pa cask] ?cup?like adjCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014cup (k?p) n., v. cupped, cup?ping. n. 1. a small, open container made of china, glass, metal, etc., usu. with a handle, used chiefly as a drinking vessel for hot beverages. 2. the bowllike part of a goblet or the like. 3. a cup with its contents. 4. the quantity contained in a cup. 5. a unit of capacity equal to 8 fluid ounces (237 milliliters) or 16 tablespoons; half pint. 6. an ornamental bowl, vase, etc., esp. of precious metal, offered as a prize for a contest. 7. any of various mixed drinks, as wine with fruit and other ingredients. 8. the chalice or wine used in the Eucharist. 9. something to be partaken of or endured; one’s portion, as of joy or suffering. 10. cups, the drinking of intoxicating liquors. 11. any cuplike utensil, organ, part, cavity, etc. 12. either of the two forms that cover the breasts in a brassiere. 13. an athletic supporter protectively reinforced with rigid plastic or metal. 14. a. the metal receptacle within a golf hole. b. the hole itself. v.t. 15. to take, place, or hold in or as if in a cup. 16. to form into a cuplike shape: to cup one’s hands. Idioms: 1. in one’s cups, intoxicated; drunk. 2. one’s cup of tea, something suited or attractive to one. [before 1000; Middle English, Old English cuppe A cup is a small, round container, usually with a handle, from which you drink hot drinks such as tea and coffee. When you are not holding a cup, you usually rest it on a saucer.A cup is also a unit of measurement used in cooking.A glass is a container made out of glass and used for cold drinks.A mug is a large deep cup with straight sides and a handle, used for hot drinks. You don’t rest a mug on a saucer.You can use cup, glass, and mug to talk about either the containers or their contents.