lapse
noun
an accidental or temporary decline or deviation from an expected or accepted condition or state; a temporary falling or slipping from a previous standard.
has lapsed
-
present perfectof lapse (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That is expected to allow critical, lifesaving emergency operations to continue even though federal funding has lapsed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2026
Again, you’re probably not going to want to hire someone whose registration has lapsed.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 12, 2025
When Medi-Cal recipients run into problems with their paperwork or find their coverage has lapsed, they often turn to the call centers at their counties for help.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2024
He added that the most important goal should be for the U.S. and China to rebuild their partnership on climate change, which was key to the Paris agreement but has lapsed in recent years.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 1, 2023
The English practice has swerved from the original, because the office of the middleman has lapsed into the hands of the steward.
From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Paul Vinogradoff
