lapse

1 of 2

noun

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

lapse

2 of 2

verb

lapsed; lapsing

intransitive verb

1
a
: to fall from an attained and usually high level (as of morals or manners) to one much lower
also : to depart from an accepted pattern or standard
b
: sink, slip
lapsed into unconsciousness
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

transitive verb

: to let slip : forfeit
all of those who have lapsed their membershipAAUP Bull.
lapser noun
Choose the Right Synonym for lapse

error, mistake, blunder, slip, lapse mean a departure from what is true, right, or proper.

error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

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
Noun
The aircraft maker detailed its latest steps to correct lapses in quality in a memo to employees from Stan Deal, president of Boeing’s commercial plane division. David Koenig, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 The missteps appear to be common lapses for Mr. Biden who for years has struggled with names and dates in public speaking engagements. Arden Farhi, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 The aircraft maker detailed its latest steps to correct lapses in quality in a memo to employees from Stan Deal, president of Boeing's commercial plane division. David Koenig, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024 When funding lapses, many government workers are furloughed until their agencies reopen. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 In addressing contraband, OIG noted that BOP has issues with staff introducing drugs, cell phones and alcohol due to a lapse in security screening at higher security prisons. Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 With just three days remaining before funding lapses for roughly one-quarter of the government, some of those issues were emerging as major sticking points in negotiations to reach a deal to keep the money flowing. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2024 Hardman can be forgiven for the lapse after a season that must have seemed like a fever dream. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Whereas the former leads to minor and occasional lapses—where’s my phone? Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2024
Verb
If the two sides don’t reach an agreement by Friday at midnight, funding for military and veterans programs, agriculture and food agencies, as well the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Developments will lapse. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Instead, individual policies lapsed at different times in different states, and in some cases were setting-specific: California didn’t end its mask requirement for high-risk environments such as nursing homes until last April. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 29 Feb. 2024 The first batch of spending bills is set to expire on Jan. 19, after which the government will enter a partial shutdown and funding for several agencies will lapse. Reese Gorman, Washington Examiner, 10 Jan. 2024 Funding is set to lapse Jan. 19 for some agencies and Feb. 2 for others. South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2024 The Post found that clients complained that patient medications were sent to the wrong address, the company’s national accreditation lapsed after just a few weeks, and an inspection by state regulators went poorly. Daniel Gilbert, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2024 The government would not enter a full shutdown if Congress allows funding to lapse. David Sivak, Washington Examiner, 11 Jan. 2024 Negotiating a new Farm Bill While the Farm Bill has traditionally garnered bipartisan support, negotiations for a new version were behind schedule and funding started to lapse in the fall. Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2024 Too many of us in the Bay Area are impacted by this disease to allow smart and meaningful policies that are effectively addressing Alzheimer’s and other dementia to lapse. Taisei Kinoshita, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lapse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Latin lapsus, from labi to slip — more at sleep

First Known Use

Noun

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1611, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of lapse was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near lapse

Cite this Entry

“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lapse. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lapse

1 of 2 noun
1
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

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

intransitive verb

: to terminate, become ineffective, or fail
the bequest lapsed when the son died before the father
allowed the insurance policy to lapse

transitive verb

: to cause (as a policy) to lapse
the company lapsed the policy

More from Merriam-Webster on lapse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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