gap year

[ gap yeer ]

noun

1. a period of time, usually an academic or calendar year, in which a student takes a break from school to travel, work, or volunteer, typically after ending high school and before starting college.

gap year

noun

1. a year's break taken by a student between leaving school and starting further education

Word History and Origins

Origin of gap year¹

First recorded in 1975–80; gap ( def ) + year ( def )

Example Sentences

The Prince of Wales spoke of his affinity with Africa having spent time there on his gap year before university, volunteering on wildlife conservation projects in Kenya, Botswana, and Tanzania .

From BBC

He completed his A-levels aged 16 and was asked by Cambridge University to take a gap year due to his young age.

From BBC

The EU’s ambassador in the UK, Pedro Serrano, has suggested a scheme allowing young people to move freely during a gap year – rather than for longer.

From BBC

Kyle is considering taking a gap year after his A-levels before deciding what to do next.

From BBC

Ms Blakemore-Creedon is now taking a gap year but hopes to study medicine in the future.

From BBC