A cup is a small container, usually with a handle, designed for drinking liquids like water, milk, or hot chocolate. Cups come in many materials: ceramic mugs for coffee, plastic cups for picnics, paper cups at water fountains, and fancy teacups for special occasions.

The word also refers to the amount a cup holds, which is an important measurement in cooking. When a recipe calls for one cup of flour, it means a specific amount (about eight fluid ounces in the United States). Bakers keep special measuring cups in their kitchens to get this exactly right.

In sports, cup often means a trophy shaped like a cup or goblet. The Stanley Cup in hockey and the World Cup in soccer are famous examples. Teams compete all season hoping to win the cup.

As a verb, you can cup your hands around something, forming them into a hollow shape like a cup. When you cup your hands around your mouth to shout, you're directing the sound forward.