elapse

1 of 2

verb

i-ˈlaps How to pronounce elapse (audio)
elapsed; elapsing
Synonyms of elapsenext

intransitive verb

: pass, go by
four years elapsed before he returned

elapse

2 of 2

noun

: passage
returned after an elapse of 15 years

Synonyms of elapse

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of elapse in a Sentence

Verb in those coin-operated binoculars at scenic areas your viewing time seems to elapse almost before it has begun
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Inside, the self-winding Caliber R 27 minute repeater features two traditional gongs that chime the hours, quarter-hours, and minutes elapsed since the last quarter-hour on demand. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026 Another issue is that many days may have elapsed between the victim ingesting the drugs and their subsequent treatment at a medical facility. — Christopher P. Holstege, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
He was first appointed by Little, in a state process where the party in office offers up a few candidates to the governor to replace an outgoing member before their full term elapses. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026 But the argument of the play doesn’t so much build as elapse. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elapse

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin elapsus, past participle of elabi, from e- + labi to slip — more at sleep

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1644, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1693, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elapse was circa 1644

Rhymes for elapse

See All Rhymes for elapse

Browse Nearby Words

Elaps
elapse
elapsed time
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elapse. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

elapse

verb
i-ˈlaps
elapsed; elapsing
: to slip or glide away : pass
weeks elapsed before I found time to write
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