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
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 Web
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
How to find food banks, other food resources Those who typically rely on SNAP benefits can utilize food banks and other subsidized meal programs in the wake of the funding lapse.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
That could upend people’s ability to buy food on an unprecedented scale — the program has not lapsed during any government shutdown in recent history.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lapse
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security benefits are continuing despite the lapse in funding, but the suspension of SNAP payments is expected to significantly impact the more than 40 million Americans who rely on the program.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
How to find food banks, other food resources Those who typically rely on SNAP benefits can utilize food banks and other subsidized meal programs in the wake of the funding lapse.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Unless federal funding is restored, SNAP benefits for about 1 million Florida households that receive food stamps will lapse on Nov 1.
—Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
That could upend people’s ability to buy food on an unprecedented scale — the program has not lapsed during any government shutdown in recent history.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lapse
Cite this Entry
“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lapse. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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