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

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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. ))

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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

Meanwhile, others, like Brighton, have leaned into data and smart recruitment to help them close the gap.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Banga said that the Bank's development model needed to "evolve" to meet the challenges of the projected jobs gap.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

One reason for the end of their dominance as a collective is because other clubs have closed the financial gap.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

It projects the country continues to face a longer-term housing supply gap of 187,000 to 238,000 homes annually over the next decade.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

A large section of road was gone and water was rushing through the gap from the lake on the other side.

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

At the EU level, Kallas said the European Defence Agency had mapped all the "critical capabilities" that Europe was missing and that Europe needed to fill these gaps "as soon as possible".

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

Achievement gaps ranging from about 28 to 49 percentage points still separate them from white and Asian students.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

The Canadian retail conglomerate ultimately withdrew its offer over friction around valuation gaps and antitrust issues in the U.S., prompting Seven & i to focus on restructuring and a standalone North American IPO strategy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Prof Angela O'Hagan, who chairs the commission, said the report highlighted the "gaps" between rights everyone was entitled to and the "lived reality" in southern Scotland.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

They wrapped their feet in extra cloth, filled the gaps with balled-up pieces of newspaper, and wore the boots.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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

Earlier this week, SPX gapped higher on the end-of-the-shutdown rally.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 13, 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

Kimberly-Clark’s acquisition of Kenvue sent the former gapping down to a key round-number level, while TreeHouse Foods is being taken out at nearly a 25% premium.

From Barron's ● Nov. 24, 2025

This climate allows adhesive to dry more quickly and prevents gapping between freshly placed boards.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 5, 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

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Related Words

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

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