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

"My choices are a budget for fair taxes, strong public services, and a stable economy," Reeves told parliament Wednesday, as Britain faces a £20-billion gap in public finances.

Read more on Barron's

It’s the narrowest gap between the two since February, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

Read more on Barron's

This gap in the written record raises a key question: when, and by what route, did lentils reach the Canary Islands?

Read more on Science Daily

In October, the International Monetary Fund forecast that the U.S. would have a budget gap of 7.6% of GDP in 2030, and France a deficit of 6.3% if government policies don’t change.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ritterbusch sees the recent selloff as an overreaction “because the difficult part of the negotiation process lies ahead and it appears that major gaps between parties still need to be filled.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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