student asking question

What does "lap" mean? Does it have the same meaning as a "round?"

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Lap" in atheletics means one complete round or circuit, especially of a racetrack. However, in swimming, since pools aren't round, it means one complete length of a straight course, as of a swimming pool. So depending on the context, lap can mean "round". Ex: Long-distance runners run 10 laps each morning for practice. Ex: After doing two laps in the swimming pool, I was exhausted.

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