overlap
verb
over·lap
ˌō-vər-ˈlap 
overlapped; overlapping; overlaps
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.
1
: to occupy the same area in part
The two towns overlap.
2
: to have something in common
Some of their duties overlap.
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
At times, his social role will overlap with that of other weight-room regulars, not least of which is the gym grandpa, who hangs around and shoots the breeze and doles out tips on how to lift.
—
Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
The dual credential places her at the center of two legal disciplines that rarely overlap, yet increasingly intersect in modern family disputes.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The cast rises to the challenge of Churchill’s rapid-fire, often overlapping dialogue, with comedic highlights including Pope Joan’s coarse frankness and Dull Gret’s unexpected interjections.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The end of Duke-Michigan will also overlap with NBC’s nightly Primetime in Milan presentation, though the hoops game avoids any heavy-hitting events with bobsled slotted for the first 30 minutes.
—Molly Geary, Sportico.com, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlap
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Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
The dual credential places her at the center of two legal disciplines that rarely overlap, yet increasingly intersect in modern family disputes.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The cast rises to the challenge of Churchill’s rapid-fire, often overlapping dialogue, with comedic highlights including Pope Joan’s coarse frankness and Dull Gret’s unexpected interjections.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The end of Duke-Michigan will also overlap with NBC’s nightly Primetime in Milan presentation, though the hoops game avoids any heavy-hitting events with bobsled slotted for the first 30 minutes.
—Molly Geary, Sportico.com, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overlap
Cite this Entry
“Overlap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlap. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overlap
verb
over·lap
ˌō-vər-ˈlap
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
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