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gap

gap

87 2.3
A pause in an activity or event
  • noun
  • /ɡæp/
translation icon : intervalo
  • After several years of research, we found a gap in the current understanding of climate change.
  • time gap
  • leave a gap
  • a year-long gap

One would be that there was a long gap between the next three.

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Examples

  • The presentation included a gap in information that needed to be filled for clarity.

  • The audiotapes were used to fill in gaps or clarify questions in the written notes.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Every time I looked at my watch, a gap of time was missing.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • After more than two decades in prison, he has a large gap in his resume.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Since the outbreak of violence, no gap had been left in the security systems.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Our review of the literature suggests several gaps that future research might address.

    Academic text (2013)
  • And what's more, this gap persists over time.

  • Russell suggested the observations that were needed to fill in the gaps in astronomers' understanding of stars.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Often, the nurse is the human information integrator, resulting in multiple interruptions and gaps in care coordination.

    Academic text (2013)
  • There was a significant gap in the schedule, which allowed us to take a short break.

Synonyms

break
vsgap
1.0

A short rest from work or activity

can be a longer interruption within a continuous sequence
meantime
vsgap
589 2.5

The time between two events

is used for an interruption or delay within a continuous flow
delay
vsgap
434 1.3

A time when something happens later than planned

focuses on an internal pause in a continuous sequence
space
vsgap
381 3.1

A period of time between two events

refers specifically to an interruption inside a continuous sequence
disruption
vsgap
126 4.1

A break in the normal flow of activity

is a milder interval or delay inside a process
interruption
vsgap
99 3.0

A short time when something stops or is delayed

is a period inside a flow rather than the act of stopping
lag
vsgap
46 4.1

A period of time when something happens later than expected

describes an interruption period rather than relative slowness
hiatus
vsgap
34 6.3

A pause in an activity or series that is usually temporary

is a neutral interruption inside a continuous process
interim
vsgap
31 5.4

The time between one event and the next

applies to an interruption or delay inside an ongoing sequence
time lag
vsgap
4 4.4

A delay between an event and its effect

refers to an internal break in a continuous process instead

Antonyms

259 1.6

To move smoothly and continuously, like people or traffic

52 4.7

A situation where things stay the same or keep happening without big changes

Compounds

A difference in opinions and values between young people and their parents

The difference in how much money and comfort rich and poor people have

1 3.8

The difference between the value of a country's imports and exports over a time period

spark gap
  • Specialized
1 7.8

A device with a gap between metal parts where an electrical spark can jump

A mountain pass between Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee used by early settlers to travel west

gap yah
  • Slang
9.9

A year taken after school before university when a young person travels or volunteers

7.4

A narrow gap in a mountain ridge where a river flows

wind gap
  • Specialized
9.6

A pass in a mountain ridge that once had a stream but is now dry

How Long

suspension
70 4.3
hiatus
34 6.3
gap
87 2.3
interruption
99 3.0
pause
192 1.0
break
1.0

Surface Forms

gap singular
gaps plural

Etymology

Gap can also mean a break or empty space in time, like the silence between two songs. So a gap in a broadcast or event is a short interruption or pause.