overlap

Type: noun, verb

Definitions: (noun) An overlap is an amount that two things are in the same place or happen at the same time. (verb) Something overlaps another thing if part of it is 1) on top of, or 2) at the same time as, the other thing.

Examples: (noun) There is an overlap in the styles of the two musicians. (noun) There must be an overlap between the roof tiles to keep the rain out. (verb) The shifts of the two workers (periods of time when they’re working) need to overlap so that one worker can tell the other one what is happening. (verb) The tiles on a roof must overlap to keep the rain out.

Synonyms: verbs: lie over, go beyond.

Academic Word List Sublist and Group: 9 E