overlap

[ verb oh-ver-lap; noun oh-ver-lap ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·lapped, o·ver·lap·ping.

1. to lap over (something else or each other); extend over and cover a part of; imbricate.
2. to cover and extend beyond (something else):

   The ends of cloth overlap the table.

3. to coincide in part with; have in common with:

   two lives that overlapped each other.

verb (used without object)

, o·ver·lapped, o·ver·lap·ping.

1. to lap over:

   two sales territories that overlap; fields of knowledge that overlap.

noun

1. an act or instance of overlapping.
2. the extent or amount of overlapping:

   The second story of the building has an overlap of ten feet.

3. an overlapping part.
4. the place of overlapping.
5. (in yacht racing) the position of two yachts side by side such that the overtaking boat, to pass the other on the opposite side, must fall back, or such that neither can turn toward the other without danger of collision.

overlap

verb

1. (of two things) to extend or lie partly over (each other)
2. to cover and extend beyond (something)
3. intr to coincide partly in time, subject, etc

noun

1. a part that overlaps or is overlapped
2. the amount, length, etc, overlapping
3. the act or fact of overlapping
4. a place of overlapping
5. geology the horizontal extension of the upper beds in a series of rock strata beyond the lower beds, usually caused by submergence of the land

Other Words From

• nono·ver·lapping adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overlap¹

First recorded in 1685–95; over- + lap ²

Example Sentences

As part of the introduction of T-levels, funding was set to be withdrawn for some other vocational qualifications, like BTecs, which were deemed to "overlap" with the new T-level programmes.

From BBC

And though Trump has publicly distanced himself from the conservative Project 2025 playbook, many of its proposals overlap with Trump’s agenda and the Republican Party platform.

From Los Angeles Times

But Stewart, like Trump, lives in the Venn diagram overlap between entertainment and politics.

From Salon

As the Tech Guild presses on with what NewsGuild President Jon Schleuss refers to as “the largest tech worker strike in U.S. history,” and as Times newsroom staffers remind one another that they have the right per their own contract’s terms to refuse to take on any tasks that overlap with the tech strikers’ duties, outside detractors have swooped in.

From Slate

David Beckham and Gary Neville at Manchester United are the best example of two wide players who had a relationship where they didn't need to beat people to get crosses in - sometimes Neville would overlap and deliver the ball, sometimes he would make a run just to give Beckham space to whip in a cross.

From BBC