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, gapping 

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

verb (used without object)

gapped, gapping 

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

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

   the generation gap

6. electronics

   1. a break in a magnetic circuit that increases the inductance and saturation point of the circuit

   2. See spark gap

7. to remedy a deficiency

verb

1. (tr) to make a breach or opening in

Other Word Forms

• gapless adjective
• gappy 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

His mother was under the impression that he would do the fellowship as a gap year, and then reapply to return to college.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Their offensive line is giving Taylor huge gaps to run through and protecting Jones - they have allowed only nine 10 sacks and four turnovers this season.

Read more on BBC

The Dodgers’ largess inspired widespread debate and consternation all season long, raising concern that the wealth gap in a sport without a salary cap had become a chasm.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In January, a slide in a presentation shown to some employees indicated that the company wanted to close a gap between Whole Foods’s projected sales and revenue targets by leaning into new formats.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He said he was "watching the weather forecast like a hawk" before finally getting a gap in the clouds and his chance to take his photo.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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