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

When the asteroid data is plotted on a graph of the rotation period versus diameter, something startling stands out - there's a gap, or dividing line that appears to split two distinct populations.

From Science Daily

The Kobe University finding not only closes a gap in our understanding of wild orchid ecology but also uncovers an important carbon flux in the ecosystem.

From Science Daily

Another factor driving the trend is the combined pressure from anxious parents and gaps in medical knowledge.

From BBC

He added that the talks were "tough and have yet to produce any real breakthrough", but noted that mediators were working hard to narrow the gaps between the two sides.

From BBC

The party says the rule would ensure half of all savings made by a future Conservative government would be put towards reducing the deficit, which is the gap between spending and tax revenues.

From BBC

Related Words

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