overlap

verb

over·​lap ˌō-vər-ˈlap How to pronounce overlap (audio)
overlapped; overlapping; overlaps
Synonyms of overlapnext

transitive verb

1
: to extend over or past and cover a part of
The roof shingles overlap each other.
2
: to have something in common with
Baseball season overlaps the football season in September.

intransitive verb

1
: to occupy the same area in part
The two towns overlap.
2
: to have something in common
Some of their duties overlap.
overlap noun

Examples of overlap in a Sentence

The roof shingles overlap each other. Baseball season overlaps football season in September. Some of your duties overlap his.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jessie Murph, Brothers Osborne, Chayce Beckham Shaboozey, Muscadine Bloodline, Bret Michaels, 49 Winchester and Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors are among the other artists scheduled to perform across two stages with no overlapping sets. Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026 Fold in half and place, slightly overlapping, on a warm individual plate, 3 enchiladas per serving. Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026 According to Petrino, many have wings that overlap the counters, preventing crumbs or spills from getting trapped alongside the stove. Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 2026 Still, the combination of hazy diagnostic criteria and overlapping symptoms means that many older Americans with ADHD very likely don’t have a diagnosis. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overlap

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overlap was in 1704

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Cite this Entry

“Overlap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlap. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

overlap

verb
over·​lap ˌō-vər-ˈlap How to pronounce overlap (audio)
1
: to lay or lie over (something) so as to partly cover
that piece overlaps the edge
2
: to have something in common
political and social interests that often overlap
3
: to occupy the same area in part
the photos overlap
overlap noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overlap

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