gap

[ gap ]

noun

1. a break or opening, as in a fence, wall, or military line; breach:

   We found a gap in the enemy's line of fortifications.

2. an empty space or interval; interruption in continuity; hiatus:

   a momentary gap in a siren's wailing; a gap in his memory.

   Synonyms: lull, interlude, break, interstice, pause

3. a wide divergence or difference; disparity:

   the gap between expenses and income; the gap between ideals and actions.

4. a difference or disparity in attitudes, perceptions, character, or development, or a lack of confidence or understanding, perceived as creating a problem:

   the technology gap; a communications gap.

5. a deep, sloping ravine or cleft through a mountain ridge.
6. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a mountain pass:

   the Cumberland Gap.

7. Aeronautics. the distance between one supporting surface of an airplane and another above or below it.

verb (used with object)

, gapped, gap·ping.

1. to make a gap, opening, or breach in.

verb (used without object)

, gapped, gap·ping.

1. to come open or apart; form or show a gap.

gap

/ ɡæp /

noun

1. a break or opening in a wall, fence, etc
2. a break in continuity; interruption; hiatus

   there is a serious gap in the accounts

3. a break in a line of hills or mountains affording a route through
4. a gorge or ravine
5. a divergence or difference; disparity

   the generation gap

   there is a gap between his version of the event and hers

6. electronics
   1. a break in a magnetic circuit that increases the inductance and saturation point of the circuit
   2. See spark gap
7. bridge a gap
   bridge a gapclose a gapfill a gapstop a gap to remedy a deficiency

verb

1. tr to make a breach or opening in

Derived Forms

• ˈgapless, adjective
• ˈgappy, adjective

Other Words From

• gapless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gap¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old Norse: “chasm”; akin to Old Norse gapa “to open the mouth wide” ( gape ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of gap¹

C14: from Old Norse gap chasm; related to gapa to gape , Swedish gap, Danish gab open mouth, opening

Example Sentences

Over the past 230 years, the population gap between the smallest and largest states has only grown.

From Vox

Identify areas that can be approved and understand your content gaps that need additional content to support the demand.

From Search Engine Watch

That margin applies to estimates of support for each candidate, rather than the gap between them.

From Washington Post

The tool will analyze your competitors’ backlinks and find the backlink gap — websites that link to your competitors, but not you.

From Search Engine Land

Matching struggling students with tutors 1-to-1 or 2-to-1 is a surefire way to help close opportunity gaps, says Matthew Kraft, a Brown University education economics researcher.

From Science News

In straight relationships with an age gap, words like ‘gold-digger’ and ‘trophy wife’ get thrown around.

From The Daily Beast

But most of this gap, say the researchers who carried out the study, is due to discrimination.

From The Daily Beast

Since then, the rising gap between the rich and middle- and lower-income families has risen to the fore.

From The Daily Beast

No approving remarks for the growing gap between rich and poor.

From The Daily Beast

The best, or at least most successful, are bridging the gap between punk-rock DIY ethos and social-media savvy.

From The Daily Beast

A pang, a bitterness that lasted for a day or for a year—and the gap would be filled again by some one else.

From Project Gutenberg

Bran or horse-dung inside was a good thing as a stop-gap, though it added not to the strength of the boiler.

From Project Gutenberg

The tall man leaped over just there; and the Jew, running a few paces to the right, crept through that gap.

From Project Gutenberg

Then you're the chap who covered the trail between Phœnix and Potter's Gap yesterday afternoon?

From Project Gutenberg

Before he could recover, a figure was flying through the open gap that lately had been a window.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chasm
• crack
• cut
• difference
• disagreement
• disparity
• divergence
• divide
• division
• hole
• inconsistency
• rift
• void