gap

American  

[gap] / gæp /

noun

• gaps
  plural

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• gapless
  adjective
• gappy
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• gaps
  plural

Etymology

Origin of gap

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

Explanation

A gap is the space between two things. It can be physical (like "the gap between your two front teeth") or philosophical (like "the generation gap" between you and your parents). Gap is a small word that packs a lot; it can be used in a straightforward manner: in England, the signs in the subway station say, "Mind the gap" — in hopes that passengers will not wander into the space between the train and the platform. The American retailer, "The Gap," is said to have taken its name from the generation gap. The clothes were designed for teenagers and young adults, and therefore nothing your middle-aged parents would be caught dead in. Times change.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gap gaps gapped gapping

Filmmakers and producers say that gap is the whole problem.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

While international attendance at the domestic parks continued to be a challenge, Disney Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston said the company is more than filling the gap with growth from domestic guests.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Shareholders have some ideas on how to close that gap.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

The latest figures show the attainment gap at National 5 level between those with and without ASN was 8.9 percentage points in 2026.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Cheeks burning, I pushed two quarters through the gap under the window.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

One Taiwan strategy involves using drones to distract China’s expensive precision weaponry, with the goal of creating gaps for Taiwan’s missiles to strike targets such as warships, one of the officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Graduates who have already entered the job market without much experience can still fill those gaps, Hendler-Grunt said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026

Entrepreneurs are filling gaps left by traditional arms contractors.

From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026

However, Koch argues that they deserve serious investigation because they may expose gaps in current scientific explanations.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 30, 2026

We run across and it’s so well made you can’t even see twixt the gaps in the planks of wood.

From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness

Spreads gapped out even more on longer-duration SpaceX bonds, according to MarketAxess, signaling that the market may be concerned about the company’s long-term future.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 26, 2026

Intel gapped up 24% on April 24 following a well-received earnings report, breaking out of a bull flag.

From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026

I gapped the tappets and points, checked the oil, flipped the choke, hit the starter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025

The rouble gapped down to a 15-month low in Moscow.

From Reuters ● Jun. 26, 2023

Javier’s lighted tab file is still gapped open.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

That setup broke out at the very round $300 level on Feb. 18, with shares gapping higher by 16%.

From Barron's ● May 27, 2026

Barkley tallied on a 13-yard run through a gapping hole for New York’s TD.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 4, 2022

After his second win, coming at the Sony Open in January, Kizzire told Golf Digest that the Titleist 718 T-MB 4-iron helped with gapping, while also providing the height he needs.

From Golf Digest ● Jul. 9, 2018

Their philosophy was to keep blockers off Urlacher with big, two gapping defensive linemen. 

From Chicago Tribune ● May 24, 2013

Cade Hernandez raised his right hand in front of his chin, nodding confidently and gapping his thumb and index finger about three-fourths of an inch.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith

Related Words

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