overlap

verb

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

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
ˈō-vər-ˌlap How to pronounce overlap (audio)
noun

Synonyms of overlap

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To navigate this new era, individuals must define their Soul Work, leverage AI for brainstorming, build AI fluency, embrace overlapping income streams, and proactively plan for inevitable career pauses. — Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Replacing fragmented purchases Defense agencies have traditionally bought Oracle software through separate contracts, creating overlapping licenses and inconsistent spending patterns. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026 Under the glow of the sun, past and present quietly start to overlap. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 July 2026 Some of the most charming moments in the book occur when Farris recognizes how her artistic interests and her medical pursuits overlap. — Tahneer Oksman, NPR, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overlap

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

Rhymes for overlap

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Browse Nearby Words

Overland Park
overlap
overlap fault
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Cite this Entry

“Overlap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlap. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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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
ˈō-vər-ˌlap How to pronounce overlap (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overlap

Nglish: Translation of overlap for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about overlap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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