chasm

noun

ˈka-zəm 

1

: a deep cleft in the surface of a planet (such as the earth) : gorge

built a bridge over the chasm

2

: a marked division, separation, or difference

the chasm between the rich and the poor

Synonyms of chasm

• abyss
• ocean

Examples of chasm in a Sentence

a chasm in the ocean floor

Recent Examples on the Web

Tom, however, is determined not to turn this into anything other than a need to have Willis crack the case and save Jake; the wide chasm between the two is apparent from the start and Tom certainly doesn’t want any reunion with his father. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026

The primary reason for this chasm between psychiatry and the rest of medicine is that knowledge about the biological basis of mental disorders lags behind other medical disorders. — Anand Kumar, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026

As Change Management, Not A Tech Rollout The biggest reason AI initiatives fail to deliver ROI is the chasm between deployment and adoption. — Khadim Batti, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

That’s much better than analysts expected and would be the best since five years ago, when the economy was erupting out of the chasm created by the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin chasma, from Greek; akin to Latin hiare to yawn — more at yawn

First Known Use

circa 1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chasm

• bronchospasm
• cytoplasm
• ectoplasm
• neoplasm
• protoplasm
• vasospasm
• chiasm
• nazim
• plasm
• spasm
• enthusiasm
• iconoclasm

Kids Definition

chasm

noun

ˈkaz-əm 

: a deep split or gap in the earth