1
a
: a slight error typically due to forgetfulness or inattention
a lapse in table manners
a lapse in security
b
: a temporary deviation or fall especially from a higher to a lower state
a lapse from grace
ethical lapses
2
: a becoming less : decline
a lapse in the supply of technicians
3
a(1)
: the termination of a right or privilege through neglect to exercise it within some limit of time
(2)
: termination of coverage for nonpayment of premiums
the lapse of an insurance policy
b
: interruption, discontinuance
returned to college after a lapse of several years
4
: an abandonment of religious faith
5
: a passage of time
also
: interval
the roots of trees … have been preserved after a lapse of five thousand years —
Niger Calder
Niger Calder
lapsed; lapsing
1
2
: to go out of existence : cease
after a few polite exchanges, the conversation lapsed
3
: to pass from one proprietor to another or from an original owner by omission or negligence
allowed the insurance policy to lapse
4
: to glide along : pass
time lapses
: to let slip : forfeit
all of those who have lapsed their membership—AAUP Bull.
AAUP Bull.
lapser
noun
Synonyms
Examples of lapse in a Sentence
Noun
He blamed the error on a minor mental lapse.
a lapse into bad habits
Verb
After a few polite words the conversation lapsed.
Her interest in politics lapsed while she was in medical school.
She didn't pay the premium and her life insurance policy lapsed.
He forgot to renew his driver's license, so it lapsed.
She allowed the magazine subscription to lapse.
Recent Examples on the Web
Christine Clarridge, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Then, in January 2023, a misconfigured application programming interface exposed personal data for 37 million current customers, marking yet another significant security lapse.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2024
David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Their life insurance policies also lapsed due to nonpayment.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lapse 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The findings detail lapses in oversight that left families without deeds to their homes.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Then, in January 2023, a misconfigured application programming interface exposed personal data for 37 million current customers, marking yet another significant security lapse.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
The Biden-Harris administration is set to allow the protections for Venezuelan migrants to lapse at the end of the month, the DHS confirmed to Newsweek in October.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Their life insurance policies also lapsed due to nonpayment.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lapse
Articles Related to lapse
Dictionary Entries Near lapse
Cite this Entry
“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lapse. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lapse
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a slight error or slip
lapse of memory
b
: a temporary fall especially from a higher to a lower state
lapse into bad habits
2
: the ending of a right or privilege through failure to meet requirements
3
: a passage of time
also
: interval sense 1
lapse
2 of 2 verb
lapsed; lapsing
1
: to slip, pass, or fall gradually
lapse into silence
2
: to come to an end : cease
Legal Definition
lapse
1 of 2 noun
: a termination or failure due to events, neglect, or time: as
a
: the failure of a bequest (as because the intended recipient dies before the testator) compare anti-lapse statute
b
: the termination of an insurance policy because of nonpayment of premiums or nonrenewal
lapse
2 of 2 verb
lapsed; lapsing
: to terminate, become ineffective, or fail
the bequest lapsed when the son died before the father
allowed the insurance policy to lapse
: to cause (as a policy) to lapse
the company lapsed the policy
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