overlap

verb

over·​lap ˌō-vər-ˈlap How to pronounce overlap (audio)
overlapped; overlapping; overlaps

transitive verb

1
: to extend over or past and cover a part of
The roof shingles overlap each other.
2
: to have something in common with
Baseball season overlaps the football season in September.

intransitive verb

1
: to occupy the same area in part
The two towns overlap.
2
: to have something in common
Some of their duties overlap.
overlap noun

Examples of overlap in a Sentence

The roof shingles overlap each other. Baseball season overlaps football season in September. Some of your duties overlap his.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two phenomena involve hormonal changes and can overlap in symptoms, according to Shannon Pan, MD, a primary care physician at Inspira Health. Melissa Willets, Parents, 27 Oct. 2025 The agreement commits both nations to withdraw heavy weapons from border areas, clear unexploded ordinance, manage overlapping territorial zones, among other commitments to peaceful co-existence. Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025 While the stellar extent of the galaxy is normally only shown to overlap with the bright dusty disk, superior techniques can reveal the low surface-brightness halo and streams around it. Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025 In what ways does Talamasca overlap with the existing universe of shows for you? Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overlap

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overlap was in 1704

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlap. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

overlap

verb
over·​lap ˌō-vər-ˈlap How to pronounce overlap (audio)
1
: to lay or lie over (something) so as to partly cover
that piece overlaps the edge
2
: to have something in common
political and social interests that often overlap
3
: to occupy the same area in part
the photos overlap
overlap noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overlap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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