overlap

American  

[oh-ver-lap, oh-ver-lap] / ˌoʊ vərˈlæp, ˈoʊ vərˌlæp /

verb (used with object)

overlapped, overlapping

1. to lap over (something else or each other); extend over and cover a part of; imbricate.

2. to cover and extend beyond (something else).

   The ends of cloth overlap the table.

3. to coincide in part with; have in common with.

   two lives that overlapped each other.

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verb (used without object)

overlapped, overlapping

1. to lap over.

   two sales territories that overlap; fields of knowledge that overlap.

noun

1. an act or instance of overlapping.

2. the extent or amount of overlapping.

   The second story of the building has an overlap of ten feet.

3. an overlapping part.

4. the place of overlapping.

5. (in yacht racing) the position of two yachts side by side such that the overtaking boat, to pass the other on the opposite side, must fall back, or such that neither can turn toward the other without danger of collision.

overlap British  

verb

1. (of two things) to extend or lie partly over (each other)

2. to cover and extend beyond (something)

3. (intr) to coincide partly in time, subject, etc

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noun

1. a part that overlaps or is overlapped

2. the amount, length, etc, overlapping

3. the act or fact of overlapping

4. a place of overlapping

5. geology the horizontal extension of the upper beds in a series of rock strata beyond the lower beds, usually caused by submergence of the land

Other Word Forms

• nonoverlapping
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of overlap

First recorded in 1685–95; over- + lap ²

Explanation

When things overlap, part or all of one thing covers part or all of the other, like roofing shingles or flat noodles in a lasagna dish. Not only can things overlap, but schedules can, too. If you accidentally schedule your doctor's appointment and your dentist appointment at the same time, they overlap, which is unfortunate because you can't be in two places at once. Philosophies and perspectives overlap when they share certain points or ideas in common.

Example Sentences

Lineker and Neville are now two of the biggest players in a rapidly changing media industry, each with their own digital empires, via their Goalhanger and Overlap platforms respectively.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

He notes how Neville, another former England footballer-turned-broadcaster, is making similarly "innovative content" with The Overlap, and "there will be so much" of this kind of thing.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

Their Overlap hats featured the team name with the franchise’s large “A” logo with the halo placed on top of the “G.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2025

Former United skipper Roy Keane might not be a fan given the manner in which the Irishman spoke of Fernandes on The Overlap podcast last week.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2025

Overlap, ō-vėr-lap′, v.t. to lap over: to lay so that the edge of one rests on that of another.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various