gap year

noun

: a one-year hiatus from academic studies to allow for nonacademic activities

Examples of gap year in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Like his father, Edward attended the strict Gordonstoun School in Scotland, then earned a bachelor degree from Cambridge, following after a gap year in New Zealand. Roberta Mercuri, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026 Their gap year has quickly reversed course into contending for their third NBA Finals appearance since 2022. Zach Harper, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026 His daughter is in a shelter in Jerusalem, helping steward a group of 18-year-olds on a gap year program. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026 After high school, Dillane took a gap year to move to Brazil to play soccer before entering New York University. Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gap year

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gap year was in 1978

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gap year.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gap%20year. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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