chip

Pronunciation

• enPR: chĭp, IPA ^(key): /tʃɪp/
• SAMPA: /tSIp/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular chip

Plural chips

1. (countable) A small piece that is broken off of a larger object.

   A chip of paint fell off the wall.

2. (countable) A damaged area of a surface where a chip has broken off.

   This cup has a chip in it.

3. (countable) A token that is used in place of cash when gambling.

   poker chip

   This chip is worth $1.

4. (countable) (electronics) A small circuit used in certain electronic devices.

   computer chip

5. (countable) (US) A thin, baked or fried piece of vegetable, usually potato.

   potato chips

   tortilla chips

6. (countable) (UK) (AU) (NZ) A fried strip of potato, similar to French fries.
7. (countable) (sports) A shot where the ball goes up more than a regular shot.
8. (countable) (curling) A takeout that hits a rock at an angle.
9. (countable) A dried piece of dung that is used as fuel.
10. (countable) (northern New Zealand) A container that is usually used for holding strawberries or other fruit.

• 
  An electronic chip
• 
  Poker chips
• 
  Potato chips
• 
  Tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole
• 
  Wood chips
• 
  Fish and chips with peas
• 
  Chocolate chips
• 
  Part of this picture has been chipped away

Verb

Plain form chip

Third-person singular chips

Past tense chipped

Past participle chipped

Present participle chipping

1. (transitive) To break an object into small pieces.

   The workers chipped the dead branches into mulch.

2. (transitive) To break small pieces off of an object.

   Be careful not to chip the paint.

3. (transitive); (golf) To play a shot where the ball goes mostly upwards instead of forwards.
4. (transitive); (automotive) To upgrade an engine management system, usually to increase power.
5. (intransitive) To become chipped.

   This varnish chips easily.

6. (intransitive); (card games) Often with "in", to ante (up).

Related phrases

• chip off the old block
• fish and chips
• have a chip on one's shoulder