overlap

American  

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

verb (used with object)

overlaps, present (3rd person singular) overlapped, past participle, past overlapping present participle

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)

overlaps, present (3rd person singular) overlapped, past participle, past overlapping present participle

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

Derived Forms

• nonoverlapping
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have overlapped
  perfect
• has overlapped
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are overlapping
  progressive
• is overlapping
  progressive 3rd person singular
• overlaps
  singular 3rd person
• has been overlapping
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am overlapping
  progressive 1st person singular
• overlapping
  participle
• have been overlapping
  perfect progressive

Past

• had overlapped
  perfect
• had been overlapping
  perfect progressive
• was overlapping
  progressive singular
• overlapped
  participle
• were overlapping
  progressive plural
• overlapped
  simple

Future

• will overlap
  simple
• will have overlapped
  perfect
• will be overlapping
  progressive
• will have been overlapping
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of overlap

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

Explanation

When things overlap, part or all of one thing covers part or all of the other, like roofing shingles or flat noodles in a lasagna dish. Not only can things overlap, but schedules can, too. If you accidentally schedule your doctor's appointment and your dentist appointment at the same time, they overlap, which is unfortunate because you can't be in two places at once. Philosophies and perspectives overlap when they share certain points or ideas in common.

Example Sentences

Scientists expected to find at least some overlap in the genes involved.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

That works even better now because the equipment he already has still includes modern technology such as guidance systems — automatic steering to avoid overlap and save on fuel — that help improve productivity.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026

There is overlap between CBS News and CNN.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

Mice lacking mGluR1 show motor and synaptic problems, features that overlap with the kinds of dysfunction seen in neurodegenerative diseases.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

Angry now, they made another run, and set up the overlap and cross on the right side—the very sequence Luma had warned her players to shut down.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John