overlap

verb

over·​lap ˌō-vər-ˈlap How to pronounce overlap (audio)
overlapped; overlapping; overlaps

transitive verb

1
: to extend over or past and cover a part of
The roof shingles overlap each other.
2
: to have something in common with
Baseball season overlaps the football season in September.

intransitive verb

1
: to occupy the same area in part
The two towns overlap.
2
: to have something in common
Some of their duties overlap.
overlap noun

Examples of overlap in a Sentence

The roof shingles overlap each other. Baseball season overlaps football season in September. Some of your duties overlap his.
Recent Examples on the Web Angelica's uses overlap within culinary medicine, with various recipes highlighting its versatility in both culinary and medicinal applications. Trang Tran, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2024 And the total could vary based on how much overlap there is between the taxpayer groups Trump has proposed to give tax breaks to. Rebecca Picciotto, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024 The two forms of engagement often overlap and conflict, especially in an election. Arianna Huffington, TIME, 21 Oct. 2024 Historically, most of the DOC NYC shortlist titles overlap with the Academy’s official 15-film Oscar shortlist. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overlap 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overlap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overlap was in 1704

Dictionary Entries Near overlap

Cite this Entry

“Overlap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlap. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

overlap

verb
over·​lap ˌō-vər-ˈlap How to pronounce overlap (audio)
1
: to lay or lie over (something) so as to partly cover
that piece overlaps the edge
2
: to have something in common
political and social interests that often overlap
3
: to occupy the same area in part
the photos overlap
overlap noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overlap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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