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.
The long passing move which started from a short goal kick by Yassine Bounou ended in an overlapping Hakimi finding Bilal El Khannouss’ run into the penalty area. Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 5 June 2026 The effect depends on how much the zinc oxide and tellurium layers overlap inside the structure. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 June 2026 That uncertainty is understandable, given how much is at stake when your debt problems start to overlap with your job. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 4 June 2026 To ensure high yields, Fried says pears should be planted in groups of three, which helps overlap or synchronize their pollination periods. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 4 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlap. Accessed 7 Jun. 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

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