gap

[ gap ]

noun

1. a break or opening, as in a fence, wall, or military line; breach:

   We found a gap in the enemy's line of fortifications.

2. an empty space or interval; interruption in continuity; hiatus:

   a momentary gap in a siren's wailing; a gap in his memory.

   Synonyms: lull, interlude, break, interstice, pause

3. a wide divergence or difference; disparity:

   the gap between expenses and income; the gap between ideals and actions.

4. a difference or disparity in attitudes, perceptions, character, or development, or a lack of confidence or understanding, perceived as creating a problem:

   the technology gap; a communications gap.

5. a deep, sloping ravine or cleft through a mountain ridge.
6. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a mountain pass:

   the Cumberland Gap.

7. Aeronautics. the distance between one supporting surface of an airplane and another above or below it.

verb (used with object)

, gapped, gap·ping.

1. to make a gap, opening, or breach in.

verb (used without object)

, gapped, gap·ping.

1. to come open or apart; form or show a gap.

gap

/ ɡæp /

noun

1. a break or opening in a wall, fence, etc
2. a break in continuity; interruption; hiatus

   there is a serious gap in the accounts

3. a break in a line of hills or mountains affording a route through
4. a gorge or ravine
5. a divergence or difference; disparity

   there is a gap between his version of the event and hers

   the generation gap

6. electronics
   1. a break in a magnetic circuit that increases the inductance and saturation point of the circuit
   2. See spark gap
7. bridge a gap or close a gap or fill a gap or stop a gap
   to remedy a deficiency

verb

1. tr to make a breach or opening in

Derived Forms

• ˈgappy, adjective
• ˈgapless, adjective

Other Words From

• gapless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gap¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old Norse: “chasm”; akin to Old Norse gapa “to open the mouth wide” ( gape ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of gap¹

C14: from Old Norse gap chasm; related to gapa to gape , Swedish gap, Danish gab open mouth, opening

Example Sentences

But this time was different, closing the gap on those 30 passing years like two hands clapped together, with a lot of joy and pain trapped inside, like a buzzing fly.

From Salon

Children Heard and Seen is one charity looking to help fill that gap.

From BBC

"The main consequence is the gap between crime and punishment in the public mind. If you commit a crime, it is far from certain that you are going to be punished," she tells the BBC.

From BBC

Lord Blunkett has called for an urgent review into what he described as "death trap" Tube platforms after he was injured falling into a gap as he boarded a train at Westminster station.

From BBC

But the gap between the two teams on the pitch is rarely as big as on the spreadsheet.

From BBC

Related Words

• chasm
• crack
• cut
• difference
• disagreement
• disparity
• divergence
• divide
• division
• hole
• inconsistency
• rift
• void