[count] 1 a : a small round container that often has a handle and that is used for drinking liquids (such as tea and coffee)
▪ a coffee cup ▪ a paper/plastic cup — see picture at place setting; see also teacup
b : the liquid that is contained in a cup
▪ How many cups (of water/coffee/tea) did you drink? ▪ Would you like another cup of tea? 2 US : a unit of measurement that is used when you are cooking ◊A cup is used to measure both dry and liquid ingredients. It is equal to half a pint or 237 milliliters.
▪ two cups of flour ▪ four cups of milk — see also measuring cup 3 : a large gold or silver cup that is given as a prize for winning a competition or game
▪ The winner will take home the cup. — used in the names of some sports competitions in which a cup is the prize ▪ His goal is to win the America's Cup. ▪ Our team won the Stanley Cup. 4 : something that is shaped like a cup
▪ a custard cup — see also eggcup, suction cup 5 chiefly US : a food that is served in a cup or small bowl
▪ a fruit cup [=a mixture of chopped fruits that is served usually as a dessert] 6 US : a hard piece of plastic that men and boys wear to protect and support their sexual organs while playing a sport
▪ a protective cup —called also (Brit) box 7 : either one of the parts of a bra that cover the breasts — used especially to describe the size of a bra ▪ a bra with C cups ▪ She wears a B cup. 8 US, golf : the metal or plastic case that is placed in the hole on a putting green ; also : the hole itself
▪ The shot landed within inches of the cup.