I. o ‧ ver ‧ lap 1 AC /ˌəʊvəˈlæp $ ˌoʊvər-/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle overlapped , present participle overlapping ) [intransitive and transitive]
1 . if two or more things overlap, part of one thing covers part of another thing:
One of Jilly’s front teeth overlaps the other.
The tiles on the roof overlap.
2 . if two subjects, ideas etc overlap, they include some but not all of the same things:
Maxwell’s responsibilities overlap yours, so you will be sharing some of the work.
overlap with
The study of sociology overlaps with the study of economics.
two great men with overlapping interests
3 . if two activities or periods of time overlap, the second one starts before the first one has finished:
The second phase of development overlaps the first.
overlap with
My vacation overlaps with yours.
II. o ‧ ver ‧ lap 2 AC /ˈəʊvəlæp $ ˈoʊvər-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
the amount by which two activities, ideas, things etc overlap
overlap between
There is considerable overlap between the girls’ and boys’ test results.
overlap of
an overlap of about two centimetres
a large degree of overlap