gap
♦ gap /g'æp/ (gaps)
1 [N-COUNT]
A gap 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 gap.
...the wind tearing through gaps in the window frames.
2 [N-COUNT] oft N of n
A gap is a period of time when you are not busy or when you stop doing something that you normally do.
There followed a gap of four years, during which William joined the Army.
= break
3 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
If there is something missing from a situation that prevents it being complete or satisfactory, you can say that there is a gap.
We need more young scientists to fill the gap left by a wave of retirements expected over the next decade...
Like a good businessman, Stewart identified a gap in the market.
4 [N-COUNT] with supp, oft N between pl-n
A gap between two groups of people, things, or sets of ideas is a big difference between them.
...the gap between rich and poor...
America's trade gap widened...
Britain needs to bridge the technology gap between academia and industry.cred|ibil|ity gap
[N-SING]
A credibility gap is the difference between what a person says or promises and what they actually think or do.
There is a credibility gap developing between employers and employees.gap year
[N-SING]
A gap year is a period of time during which a student takes a break from studying after they have finished school and before they start college or university. (BRIT)
I went around the world in my gap year.gen|era|tion gap (generation gaps)
[N-COUNT]
If you refer to the generation gap, you are referring to a difference in attitude and behaviour between older people and younger people, which may cause them to argue or may prevent them from understanding each other fully.trade gap (trade gaps)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
If a country imports goods worth more than the value of the goods that it exports, this is referred to as a trade gap. (BUSINESS)
1 [N-COUNT]
A gap 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 gap.
...the wind tearing through gaps in the window frames.
2 [N-COUNT] oft N of n
A gap is a period of time when you are not busy or when you stop doing something that you normally do.
There followed a gap of four years, during which William joined the Army.
= break
3 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
If there is something missing from a situation that prevents it being complete or satisfactory, you can say that there is a gap.
We need more young scientists to fill the gap left by a wave of retirements expected over the next decade...
Like a good businessman, Stewart identified a gap in the market.
4 [N-COUNT] with supp, oft N between pl-n
A gap between two groups of people, things, or sets of ideas is a big difference between them.
...the gap between rich and poor...
America's trade gap widened...
Britain needs to bridge the technology gap between academia and industry.cred|ibil|ity gap
[N-SING]
A credibility gap is the difference between what a person says or promises and what they actually think or do.
There is a credibility gap developing between employers and employees.gap year
[N-SING]
A gap year is a period of time during which a student takes a break from studying after they have finished school and before they start college or university. (BRIT)
I went around the world in my gap year.gen|era|tion gap (generation gaps)
[N-COUNT]
If you refer to the generation gap, you are referring to a difference in attitude and behaviour between older people and younger people, which may cause them to argue or may prevent them from understanding each other fully.trade gap (trade gaps)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
If a country imports goods worth more than the value of the goods that it exports, this is referred to as a trade gap. (BUSINESS)