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One length of the pool is one lap. Webster's II, New College Dictionary gives this definition in regard to pools: "2.b. One complete length of a straight course, as of a swimming pool."
I think the confusion comes from a swimmer being "lapped", which is a different term with a different definition. As a competitive swimmer in summer, high school, and college, we counted 1 length as 1 lap no matter how long the pool, and never talked about "lengths of the pool" at all. My lap counters always counted down from 20 for the 500 and from 64 for the mile (in 25m pools). In the Olympics the 50m is one lap. But, the definition of a lap is not linked to any particular measurement; when you turn around, you are swimming a new lap.
Perhaps we can do away with the word "lap" and confusion by just talking about yardage/meters instead.
Although many swimmers consider two lengths (there and back) to constitute a lap. In reading and talking with many other swimmers, this is the common consensus. It is rare to find those who count one length as a lap. Just like in running, a 'lap' is once around the track, to your starting point. The same logic applies to swimming. A lap is when you reach your starting point again.
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TaigaUsually Formula One tracks are designed in such a way that, they end where they begin. They may have their twists and turns but overall we can consider a track similar to a circle. If you begin at a point, after one full round you would reach the point.
Similarly, in a formula one track, if you begin at the starting point, after taking the various turns in the track you would eventually end up at the same starting point. One full distance across the track from start to finish is termed as one lap.
a really big circle you are running in.
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