overlap

verb

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

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.
Many, like six of the 24 at Sawyer Point, are hybrid courts, where the smaller pickleball outlines overlap with larger tennis borders. Ethan Singer, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025 The court’s calendar means the proceedings will overlap with Brazil’s Independence Day on September 7 — a date seized on by Bolsonaro and his movement as a show of political force in recent years. Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025 Her content creation has seamlessly overlapped with her duties as co-cheer captain as well. Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Getty Images Despite overlapping ranges on the New York shelf, species showed distinct vertical habitat use patterns. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 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 8 Sep. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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