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.
What to Know The NWS flash flood warnings for San Bernardino County will last through Friday afternoon, with meteorologists issuing several overlapping advisories as storms moved through the region. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025 The overlapping steel wall sheets are waterproof and have slatted vertical lines that make for another sleek touch. Clint Davis, People.com, 17 July 2025 At certain moments, though, the circularity is not driven by historical pattern or individual psychology, but by something stranger—a collective or chorus of interrupting, overlapping voices. Katie Kitamura, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025 The schedule partly overlaps with the reserve’s busiest season and a time when the Coastal Commission tends to prohibit development to maximize parking and open space for public use. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 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 26 Jul. 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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