Gap Meaning

UK /ɡæp/
US /ɡæp/
Word Definition
gap meaning

Gap Definition & Usage

noun

An opening, break, or space between two objects or places.

Examples

  • "There was a large gap in the fence where the wind blew through."
  • "He noticed a gap in the cloud cover that let a few rays of sunlight through."
  • "The gap between the two buildings made it impossible to cross without a ladder."
  • "The gap in the conversation was filled with awkward silence."
  • "They had to bridge the gap in the road after the landslide."
noun

A noticeable difference or disparity between two things, such as opinions, levels, or opportunities.

Examples

  • "There is a growing gap between rich and poor in many countries."
  • "The gap in their skills became evident during the competition."
  • "She felt a gap in her knowledge about modern technology."
  • "The company is working to close the gap between customer expectations and service quality."
  • "The gender gap in leadership roles is still a significant issue."
verb

To make or widen a space, break, or separation between two things.

Examples

  • "They tried to gap the distance between themselves and the competitors."
  • "The new policy is likely to gap the already existing divide between urban and rural areas."
  • "His argument only served to gap the understanding between the two sides."
  • "The drought has gapped the river, leaving parts of it dry."
  • "The team’s performance has gapped their previous record by a significant margin."

Cultural Context

'Gap' has been used both literally and metaphorically for centuries, originating from the Old Norse word 'gapi', meaning an opening or a gap. Over time, it evolved to also represent abstract divides, such as those in social or economic contexts.

The Bridge Between Us

Story

The Bridge Between Us

In a quiet town nestled between two mountain ranges, there existed a notorious gap. It wasn’t a natural one, like the ones between the peaks of the mountains, but a gap between the two communities on opposite sides of the river. On one side were the wealthier residents, living in grand homes, with easy access to education and resources. On the other, the working class, struggling to make ends meet with fewer opportunities. As a child, Clara often wondered why this gap existed. She knew that the river was wide, but the disparity between the two sides of the town felt even wider. The rich had access to top-notch education, while the poor struggled with underfunded schools. There was a palpable tension, an invisible line that neither side dared to cross. One day, Clara decided to do something about it. As she walked across the bridge to the other side of town, she felt the gap between her and the others shrink with each step. She arrived at the school on the other side, where she began volunteering her time, helping children with their homework and tutoring them in subjects they often couldn’t afford to learn in class. Months passed, and slowly the gap between the two communities began to shrink. The children on both sides started to collaborate on projects, learning from each other and bridging the divide that had once felt insurmountable. Clara’s efforts were small at first, but they had a ripple effect. As more people from both sides met and worked together, the community began to realize that the gap wasn’t as wide as they thought—it was something they could bridge if they tried. In the end, the gap was never fully gone, but it became something different. No longer a symbol of division, it was a reminder of what could be achieved when people decided to close the distance between them, whether literally or figuratively. The themes of the story revolve around social divides, personal action, and the gradual closing of gaps. The word 'gap' is used to describe both a physical separation—the river—and the metaphorical one between two communities with vastly different resources and opportunities.

The Bridge Between Us