overlap

[ verb oh-ver-lap; noun oh-ver-lap ]

/ verb ˌoʊ vərˈlæp; noun ˈoʊ vərˌlæp /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR overlap ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), o·ver·lapped, o·ver·lap·ping.

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

to cover and extend beyond (something else): The ends of cloth overlap the table.

to coincide in part with; have in common with: two lives that overlapped each other.

verb (used without object), o·ver·lapped, o·ver·lap·ping.

to lap over: two sales territories that overlap; fields of knowledge that overlap.

noun

an act or instance of overlapping.

the extent or amount of overlapping: The second story of the building has an overlap of ten feet.

an overlapping part.

the place of overlapping.

(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.

Nearby words

Origin of overlap

First recorded in 1685–95; over- + lap²

Related formsnon·o·ver·lap·ping, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for overlap

However, he saw the overlap of interests as being horribly negative.
Arabs Are the Michael Browns of Israel|Dean Obeidallah|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In some areas, the overlap was even higher: 100 percent of plantations in Ghana overlapped.
Our Taste for Cheap Palm Oil Is Killing Chimpanzees|Carrie Arnold|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
American government works because we have overlap between federal, state, and local governments.
The VA Crisis Can’t Be Solved by Washington, D.C. Alone. Local Authorities Need to Step Up.|Kristen Rouse|June 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What we call “culture” refers to a broad range of concepts and ideas that overlap and diverge at various points.
How Much Does 'Culture' Matter for 'Inner-City' Poverty?|Jamelle Bouie|March 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It's tempting to think their stories might overlap, but not quite.
The Bioterrorist Who Loved Mahler|Ron Hogan|January 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They are not so long as the wings of the grasshopper, but they overlap on top.
The Insect Folk|Margaret Warner Morley
We arrange the branches so that they overlap each other, and the dotted lines which indicate the missing portions are not noticed.
Pomona's Travels|Frank R. Stockton
Binocular vision overcomes any annoyance due to the blind-spots because they do not overlap in the visual field.
Visual Illusions|Matthew Luckiesh
In fact, the residents of the house so planned their purchases that they would not overlap what the dwelling already contained.
Carl and the Cotton Gin|Sara Ware Bassett
The other bands also overlap to give complicated combinations between the o-bands.
Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1|Various

British Dictionary definitions for overlap

overlap

verb (ˌəʊvəˈlæp) -laps, -lapping or -lapped

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

to cover and extend beyond (something)

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

noun (ˈəʊvəˌlæp)

a part that overlaps or is overlapped

the amount, length, etc, overlapping

the act or fact of overlapping

a place of overlapping

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for overlap

overlap

"to partially extend over," 1726, over- + lap (v.). Related: Overlapped; overlapping.

overlap

1813, from overlap (v.).

Medicine definitions for overlap

overlap

[ ō′vər-lăp′ ]

n.

A part or portion of a structure that extends or projects over another.

The suturing of one layer of tissue above or under another layer to provide additional strength, often used in dental surgery.

v.

To lie over and partly cover something.

To perform a surgical overlap.

overlap

verb (used with object), o·ver·lapped, o·ver·lap·ping.

verb (used without object), o·ver·lapped, o·ver·lap·ping.

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of overlap

Examples from the Web for overlap

overlap

verb (ˌəʊvəˈlæp) -laps, -lapping or -lapped

noun (ˈəʊvəˌlæp)

overlap

overlap

overlap

n.

v.