1
a
: a slight error typically due to forgetfulness or inattention
a lapse in table manners
a lapse in security
b
: a temporary deviation or fall especially from a higher to a lower state
a lapse from grace
ethical lapses
2
: a becoming less : decline
a lapse in the supply of technicians
3
a(1)
: the termination of a right or privilege through neglect to exercise it within some limit of time
(2)
: termination of coverage for nonpayment of premiums
the lapse of an insurance policy
b
: interruption, discontinuance
returned to college after a lapse of several years
4
: an abandonment of religious faith
5
: a passage of time
also
: interval
the roots of trees … have been preserved after a lapse of five thousand years —
Niger Calder
Niger Calder
lapsed; lapsing
1
2
: to go out of existence : cease
after a few polite exchanges, the conversation lapsed
3
: to pass from one proprietor to another or from an original owner by omission or negligence
allowed the insurance policy to lapse
4
: to glide along : pass
time lapses
: to let slip : forfeit
all of those who have lapsed their membership—AAUP Bull.
AAUP Bull.
lapser
noun
Synonyms
Examples of lapse in a Sentence
Noun
He blamed the error on a minor mental lapse.
a lapse into bad habits
Verb
After a few polite words the conversation lapsed.
Her interest in politics lapsed while she was in medical school.
She didn't pay the premium and her life insurance policy lapsed.
He forgot to renew his driver's license, so it lapsed.
She allowed the magazine subscription to lapse.
Recent Examples on the WebChris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2024
The lapse raised questions about whether Mr. Putin’s security services, which have been concentrating squarely on waging war against Ukraine, overlooked the threat posed by extremist Islamic groups.
—Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024
In an interview with the Journal Sentinel, Evergreen executives said the July 4 incident, although tragic, was not a lapse on the part of management.
—Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024
The Federal Railroad Administration requires companies to report such incidents because knowing about them allows officials to spot broader lapses and hazardous working conditions.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 13 Mar. 2024
The lapses since the last albums by either of these parties has not done anything to diminish the mass public appreciation of, and hunger for repeat appearances from, Lennox and Wendy and Lisa.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024
When funding lapses, many government workers are furloughed until their agencies reopen.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024
Miami’s Defense Remains Spotty All three of Morgan’s goals followed lapses in Miami’s defense.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2024
Passage of the bill, just hours ahead of Saturday’s 12:01 a.m. shutdown deadline, set off a sprint in the Senate to avert a lapse in funding.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2024
Should any sticking points arise, an additional short-term measure to keep the government funded may be necessary — or funding could lapse for some government agencies.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024
Funding for roughly 70 percent of the federal government — including the departments of Defense, State and Homeland Security as well as the Internal Revenue Service — will lapse at 12:01 a.m. Saturday unless Congress acts before then.
—Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
The current licensing agreement between TikTok and UMG is set to lapse today, January 31st, with Reuters reporting that UMG will remove its songs from the service once the deal has expired.
—Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 31 Jan. 2024
If the two sides don’t reach an agreement by Friday at midnight, funding for military and veterans programs, agriculture and food agencies, as well the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Developments will lapse.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Instead, individual policies lapsed at different times in different states, and in some cases were setting-specific: California didn’t end its mask requirement for high-risk environments such as nursing homes until last April.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 29 Feb. 2024
The first batch of spending bills is set to expire on Jan. 19, after which the government will enter a partial shutdown and funding for several agencies will lapse.
—Reese Gorman, Washington Examiner, 10 Jan. 2024
Funding is set to lapse Jan. 19 for some agencies and Feb. 2 for others.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2024
Noun
Of course, the main sources of frustration for Sacramento are the lapses against inferior teams.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2024
The lapse raised questions about whether Mr. Putin’s security services, which have been concentrating squarely on waging war against Ukraine, overlooked the threat posed by extremist Islamic groups.
—Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024
In an interview with the Journal Sentinel, Evergreen executives said the July 4 incident, although tragic, was not a lapse on the part of management.
—Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024
The Federal Railroad Administration requires companies to report such incidents because knowing about them allows officials to spot broader lapses and hazardous working conditions.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 13 Mar. 2024
The lapses since the last albums by either of these parties has not done anything to diminish the mass public appreciation of, and hunger for repeat appearances from, Lennox and Wendy and Lisa.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024
When funding lapses, many government workers are furloughed until their agencies reopen.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024
Miami’s Defense Remains Spotty All three of Morgan’s goals followed lapses in Miami’s defense.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2024
Passage of the bill, just hours ahead of Saturday’s 12:01 a.m. shutdown deadline, set off a sprint in the Senate to avert a lapse in funding.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
Health insurance coverage for all employees has lapsed, and staff have begun asking their supervisors what to do.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2024
Should any sticking points arise, an additional short-term measure to keep the government funded may be necessary — or funding could lapse for some government agencies.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024
Funding for roughly 70 percent of the federal government — including the departments of Defense, State and Homeland Security as well as the Internal Revenue Service — will lapse at 12:01 a.m. Saturday unless Congress acts before then.
—Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
The current licensing agreement between TikTok and UMG is set to lapse today, January 31st, with Reuters reporting that UMG will remove its songs from the service once the deal has expired.
—Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 31 Jan. 2024
If the two sides don’t reach an agreement by Friday at midnight, funding for military and veterans programs, agriculture and food agencies, as well the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Developments will lapse.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Instead, individual policies lapsed at different times in different states, and in some cases were setting-specific: California didn’t end its mask requirement for high-risk environments such as nursing homes until last April.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 29 Feb. 2024
The first batch of spending bills is set to expire on Jan. 19, after which the government will enter a partial shutdown and funding for several agencies will lapse.
—Reese Gorman, Washington Examiner, 10 Jan. 2024
Funding is set to lapse Jan. 19 for some agencies and Feb. 2 for others.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lapse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1611, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing lapse
Articles Related to lapse
Dictionary Entries Near lapse
Cite this Entry
“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lapse. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
lapse
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a slight error or slip
lapse of memory
b
: a temporary fall especially from a higher to a lower state
lapse into bad habits
2
: the ending of a right or privilege through failure to meet requirements
3
: a passage of time
also
: interval sense 1
lapse
2 of 2 verb
lapsed; lapsing
1
: to slip, pass, or fall gradually
lapse into silence
2
: to come to an end : cease
Legal Definition
lapse
1 of 2 noun
: a termination or failure due to events, neglect, or time: as
a
: the failure of a bequest (as because the intended recipient dies before the testator) compare anti-lapse statute
b
: the termination of an insurance policy because of nonpayment of premiums or nonrenewal
lapse
2 of 2 verb
lapsed; lapsing
: to terminate, become ineffective, or fail
the bequest lapsed when the son died before the father
allowed the insurance policy to lapse
: to cause (as a policy) to lapse
the company lapsed the policy
More from Merriam-Webster on lapse
Nglish: Translation of lapse for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of lapse for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share