(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is a space between two things or a hole in the middle of something solid.
He pulled the thick curtains together, leaving just a narrow ~.
...the wind tearing through ~s in the window frames.
N-COUNT
2.
A ~ is a period of time when you are not busy or when you stop doing something that you normally do.
There followed a ~ of four years, during which William joined the Army.
= break
N-COUNT: oft N of n
3.
If there is something missing from a situation that prevents it being complete or satisfactory, you can say that there is a ~.
We need more young scientists to fill the ~ left by a wave of retirements expected over the next decade...
Like a good businessman, Stewart identified a ~ in the market.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
4.
A ~ between two groups of people, things, or sets of ideas is a big difference between them.
...the ~ between rich and poor...
America’s trade ~ widened...
Britain needs to bridge the technology ~ between academia and industry.
N-COUNT: with supp, oft N between pl-n