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

His most recent work, published in The Plant Cell, used advancements in genomic research to fill in gaps of the original soybean reference genome.

From Science Daily

Adults with cerebral palsy face large gaps in care when they move away from pediatrics, and it's often described as "falling off a cliff."

From Science Daily

A study by Washington University in St. Louis researchers has begun to fill that gap.

From Science Daily

"In some areas, the damage may be minimal, but in others, it could be disruptive. We're working to fill those gaps."

From Science Daily

It was a great example of an intermediate that bridged an evolutionary gap.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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