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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That reframing matters because most adult gap years are self-funded. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026 The gap between what employees want and what most companies provide is part of why so many people are funding their own gap years rather than waiting for an employer to offer one. Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026 That is where an adult gap year changes everything. Suzanne Roske, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 Oorah runs a matchmaking program for Jewish youth and funds gap year trips to Israel for 17- and 18-year-olds. Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Gap year.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gap%20year. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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