overlap

verb

over·​lap ˌō-vər-ˈlap 

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

ˈō-vər-ˌlap 

noun

Synonyms of overlap

• overlie
• lap
• overlay

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

Given that genocide involves mass murder and the destruction of life, including the elimination of access to food and medicine, its definition in the Rome Statute overlaps to some extent with the broader definition of crimes against humanity. — Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026

Both groups back some degree of guardrails and even overlap in areas like the need to protect children online. — Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 9 July 2026

The criss-crossings of coincidences and the overlapping bonds of acquaintance bring to the minute details of phone calls and handwritten notes, sly glances and trivial deceptions, a vast psychological reverberance. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026

In general, adolescence is all about seeking independence, which usually either requires or overlaps with strength; Holden, who has felt alone since his brother Allie died of leukemia when Holden was 13, wants neither of those things. — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for overlap

• handicap
• thunderclap
• wiretap
• app
• cap
• chap
• clap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap
• hap

Kids 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

overlap

ˈō-vər-ˌlap 

noun