overlap

American  

[oh-ver-lap, oh-ver-lap] / ˌoʊ vərˈlæp, ˈoʊ vərˌlæp /

verb (used with object)

overlapped, overlapping

1. to lap over (something else or each other); extend over and cover a part of; imbricate.

2. to cover and extend beyond (something else).

   The ends of cloth overlap the table.

3. to coincide in part with; have in common with.

   two lives that overlapped each other.

---

verb (used without object)

overlapped, overlapping

1. to lap over.

   two sales territories that overlap; fields of knowledge that overlap.

noun

1. an act or instance of overlapping.

2. the extent or amount of overlapping.

   The second story of the building has an overlap of ten feet.

3. an overlapping part.

4. the place of overlapping.

5. (in yacht racing) the position of two yachts side by side such that the overtaking boat, to pass the other on the opposite side, must fall back, or such that neither can turn toward the other without danger of collision.

overlap British  

verb

1. (of two things) to extend or lie partly over (each other)

2. to cover and extend beyond (something)

3. (intr) to coincide partly in time, subject, etc

---

noun

1. a part that overlaps or is overlapped

2. the amount, length, etc, overlapping

3. the act or fact of overlapping

4. a place of overlapping

5. geology the horizontal extension of the upper beds in a series of rock strata beyond the lower beds, usually caused by submergence of the land

Other Word Forms

• nonoverlapping adjective

Etymology

Origin of overlap

First recorded in 1685–95; over- + lap ²

Example Sentences

With similar industrial strategies and no overlap, the pair could share sales offices, showrooms or even production, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

With Washington’s focus on shared interests, the big question, of course, is the degree to which America’s security interests actually overlap with those of Europe today.

From The Wall Street Journal

The film is about as disparate from the hit primetime soap as they come, with their overlap starting and ending with the fact that both are about teenagers.

From Salon

Close to 80% of Laopu’s customers overlapped with five global luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Cartier, the company said publicly, suggesting a direct transfer of luxury shoppers to domestic alternatives.

From Barron's

There is overlap in the numbers between investors and homeowners, but Eckerd was struck by the rise in young and lower-income investors at the same time that home buying activity has fallen.

From The Wall Street Journal