gap

[ gap ]

/ gæp /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gap ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a break or opening, as in a fence, wall, or military line; breach: We found a gap in the enemy's line of fortifications.

an empty space or interval; interruption in continuity; hiatus: a momentary gap in a siren's wailing; a gap in his memory.

a wide divergence or difference; disparity: the gap between expenses and income; the gap between ideals and actions.

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.

a deep, sloping ravine or cleft through a mountain ridge.

Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a mountain pass: the Cumberland Gap.

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

verb (used with object), gapped, gap·ping.

to make a gap, opening, or breach in.

verb (used without object), gapped, gap·ping.

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

Nearby words

gaol, gaoler, gaon, gaonic, gaoxiong, gap, gap 1, gap 2, gap junction, gap phenomenon, gap year

Origin of gap

1350–1400; Middle English < Old Norse gap chasm

SYNONYMS FOR gap

2 pause, interstice, break, interlude, lull.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gap ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsgap·less, adjective

Definition for gap (2 of 2)

Hautes-Alpes

[ oht-zalp ]

/ oʊtˈzalp /

noun

a department in SE France. 2179 sq. mi. (5645 sq. km). Capital: Gap.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gap

But most of this gap, say the researchers who carried out the study, is due to discrimination.
How Good Dads Can Change the World|Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The best, or at least most successful, are bridging the gap between punk-rock DIY ethos and social-media savvy.
On Tour With The Head and the Heart, Indie Rock’s Next Big Thing|James Joiner|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This year the GOP closed that gap—and one all-female consulting firm is a big reason why.
Surprise! The GOP Closed the Gender Gap|Patricia Murphy|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In what he saw as divine intervention, a gap opened in the crowd and the car gunned through it.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Near the confluence of these two rivers a tiny bridge spans the gap connecting the Korengal with the Pech.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley|Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The micaceous soapstone rocks on both sides of the trail are covered with petroglyphs, from which the gap takes its name.
Myths of the Cherokee|James Mooney
We went on—the Blight thrilled, for she had heard much of our volunteer force at the Gap and had seen something already.
A Knight of the Cumberland|John Fox Jr.
Just look out, Mrs. Fabian, and see if you can see a gap across the road.
Polly and Her Friends Abroad|Lillian Elizabeth Roy
The animal headed through a gap in an old fence and started across an adjoining pasture which contained a shallow muddy pond.
Ticktock and Jim|Keith Robertson
The following night he was in the Gap earlier, and with renewed determination.
Nan of Music Mountain|Frank H. Spearman

British Dictionary definitions for gap (1 of 2)

gap

/ (ɡæp) /

noun

a break or opening in a wall, fence, etc

a break in continuity; interruption; hiatusthere is a serious gap in the accounts

a break in a line of hills or mountains affording a route through

mainly US a gorge or ravine

a divergence or difference; disparitythere is a gap between his version of the event and hers; the generation gap

electronics

a break in a magnetic circuit that increases the inductance and saturation point of the circuit
See spark gap

bridge a gap, close a gap, fill a gap or stop a gap to remedy a deficiency

verb gaps, gapping or gapped

(tr) to make a breach or opening in

Derived Formsgapless, adjectivegappy, adjective

Word Origin for gap

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

British Dictionary definitions for gap (2 of 2)

Hautes-Alpes

/ (French otzalp) /

noun

a department of SE France in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Capital: Gap. Pop: 126 810 (2003 est). Area: 5643 sq km (2201 sq miles)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for gap

gap

early 14c. (mid-13c. in place names), from Old Norse gap "chasm," related to gapa "to gape," from PIE *ghai- "to yawn, gape" (see yawn (v.)). Originally "hole in a wall or hedge;" broader sense is 16c. In U.S., common in place names in reference to a break or pass in a long mountain chain (especially one that water flows through). As a verb from 1847.

Medicine definitions for gap

gap

[ găp ]

n.

An opening in a structure or surface; a cleft or breach.

An interval or discontinuity in any series or sequence.

gap

noun

verb (used with object), gapped, gap·ping.

verb (used without object), gapped, gap·ping.

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Nearby words

Origin of gap

Definition for gap (2 of 2)

Hautes-Alpes

noun

Examples from the Web for gap

British Dictionary definitions for gap (1 of 2)

gap

noun

verb gaps, gapping or gapped

Word Origin for gap

British Dictionary definitions for gap (2 of 2)

Hautes-Alpes

noun

Word Origin and History for gap

gap

Medicine definitions for gap

gap

n.

gap

.css-1gxch3{color:#1a1a1a;font-size:18px;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;}noun

verb (used without object), gapped, gap·ping.

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Nearby words

Origin of gap

Definition for.css-ylq2vz{color:#1a1a1a;} gap (2 of 2)

Hautes-Alpes

noun

Examples from the Web for gap

British Dictionary definitions for gap (1 of 2)

gap

noun

verb gaps, gapping or gapped

Word Origin for gap

British Dictionary definitions for gap (2 of 2)

Hautes-Alpes

noun

Word Origin and History for gap

gap

Medicine definitions for gap

gap

n.

noun

Definition for gap (2 of 2)