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.

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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

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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

Using many light beams at once introduces a key challenge: preventing overlap that can cause interference.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

While most clubs have a player welfare system in place, there are no set standards for what the role should involve and there is often overlap with the work of agents and intermediaries.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

The fourth purchaser, British Columbia Investment Management, had no overlap, the person said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

To remove the overlap of the S&P 500 Value and Growth Indexes, S&P Dow Jones Indices also maintains narrower ”pure” versions of each, which are rebalanced annually in December.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

We didn’t usually overlap shifts like this; I was used to coming home just as she got up to splash water on her face.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse