overlap

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

/ verb ˌoʊ vərˈlæp; noun ˈoʊ vərˌlæp /

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See synonyms for: overlap / overlapped / overlapping on Thesaurus.com

Definition of overlap

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.

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Origin of overlap

First recorded in 1685–95; over- + lap²

OTHER WORDS FROM overlap

non·o·ver·lap·ping, adjective, noun

Words nearby overlap

overland, overland mail, Overland Park, overland stage, Overland Trail, overlap, overlarge, overlay, overlay denture, overlay glass, Overlea

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use overlap in a sentence

The overlap between solarpunk and afrofuturism—a movement brilliantly summarized in the work of Ytasha Womack—is significant.
Solarpunk Is Growing a Gorgeous New World in the Cracks of the Old One|Carin Ism|September 6, 2020|Singularity Hub
In fact, there’s ample overlap between QAnon adherents and anti-vaxxers, who in some cases fear the vaccine is a form of mind control.
Donald Dossier: The Looming Vaccine Wars|Daniel Malloy|August 23, 2020|Ozy
Even when a brain region shows a sex difference on average, there is typically considerable overlap between the male and female distributions.
Brain Scientists Haven’t Been Able To Find Major Differences Between Women’s And Men’s Brains, Despite Over A Century Of Searching|LGBTQ-Editor|August 13, 2020|No Straight News
Villa cited “a timing overlap” and said a bond consultant had advised against it.
How the City Came to Lease a Lemon|Lisa Halverstadt and Jesse Marx|August 10, 2020|Voice of San Diego

This included genetic relatedness and the amount of environmental overlap between dolphins.
Dolphins can learn from their peers how to use shells as tools|Jack J. Lee|August 6, 2020|Science News For Students
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
Both Huckabee and Santorum had considerable overlap in their support during their respective presidential bids.
The Social Conservative Royal Rumble Is Brewing in Iowa|Ben Jacobs|October 17, 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
In our current configuration of religious interest groups, we find significant overlap with party politics.
Even Conservative Evangelical Support Couldn’t Save Immigration Reform|Jacob Lupfer|July 6, 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
The man on the girl's right seemed to overlap her possessively which could have been accounted for by the width of his shoulders.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
But it must not be forgotten that both the departments themselves and the evidence for them frequently overlap.
The Religion of Ancient Rome|Cyril Bailey
Even in his bare feet, which you saw with your own eyes, he'd overlap those prints a half inch all around.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
Any tinsmith will turn up the sides for you, leaving the front a little higher than the others, so as to overlap the netting.
Harper's Young People, November 30, 1880|Various
The butt straps where they overlap are forged so as to fit one another as shown, and thus form a close joint.
An Introduction to Machine Drawing and Design|David Allan Low

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

Medical definitions for overlap

overlap

[ ō′vər-lăp′ ]

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.

To lie over and partly cover something.

To perform a surgical overlap.

overlap

Definition of overlap

Origin of overlap

OTHER WORDS FROM overlap

Words nearby overlap

Words related to overlap

How to use overlap in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for overlap

Medical definitions for overlap