gap year

noun

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web And done the gap year thing in India, and backpacked around. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2022 But Paul does something more complex: Larfarge uses the thoroughly contemporary story of a traumatized graduate on her European gap year to boldly reinterpret Gauguin’s life and legacy. Ella Fox-martens, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2022 Maggie Bachenberg got into cycling during a cross country bike trip during her gap year after high school. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 4 July 2022 The way to make this lower risk is to commit to it being a productive gap year. Robert Hackett, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2021 In the meantime, outdoor semester programs for high schoolers and students taking a gap year are experiencing record demand. Outside Online, 26 Sep. 2020 William met Craig in Africa during his pre-college gap year in 2000, while visiting her family's Kenyan wildlife reserve as part of his service trip. Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 Dec. 2022 On said gap year, William trimmed his formerly-long 'do. Diana Pearl, Peoplemag, 4 Dec. 2022 So, in June, Blumenthal applied to a gap year program at the High Mountain Institute (HMI) in Leadville, Colorado. Outside Online, 26 Sep. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gap year.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near gap year

Cite this Entry

“Gap year.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gap%20year. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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