elapse

1 of 2

verb

i-ˈlaps 

elapsed; elapsing

intransitive verb

: pass, go by

four years elapsed before he returned

elapse

2 of 2

noun

: passage

returned after an elapse of 15 years

Synonyms of elapse

Verb

• expire
• stop
• end
• cease
• conclude
• halt
• lapse
• pass
• terminate

Examples of elapse in a Sentence

Verb

in those coin-operated binoculars at scenic areas your viewing time seems to elapse almost before it has begun

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This week, a sixty-day deadline for the United States and Iran to resolve larger differences—set in June as part of an earlier memorandum of understanding—elapsed with little fanfare. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2026

With over 70% of the regular season elapsed, the Dream will look to make their playoff push. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Noun

But the argument of the play doesn’t so much build as elapse. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2026

Forty-four seconds elapse between the ball going out of play off Kadioglu and Cristhian Mosquera taking the goal kick. — Stuart James, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin elapsus, past participle of elabi, from e- + labi to slip — more at sleep

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1644, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1693, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for elapse

• bitmaps
• bootstraps
• collapse
• mishaps
• perhaps
• prolapse
• relapse
• satraps
• wiretaps
• apps
• caps
• chaps

Kids Definition

elapse

verb

i-ˈlaps

elapsed; elapsing

: to slip or glide away : pass

weeks elapsed before I found time to write