1
: to spring free from or as if from the ground : jump
leap over a fence
a fish leaps out of the water
2
a
: to pass abruptly from one state or topic to another
the difficult leap from college to the workplace
b
: to act precipitately
leaped at the chance
: to pass over by leaping
leaped the wall
1
2
a
: a sudden passage or transition
a great leap forward
b
: a choice made in an area of ultimate concern
a leap of faith
see also:
Examples of leap in a Sentence
Verb
The cat suddenly leaped into the air.
Fish were leaping out of the water.
He leaped off the bridge.
The boys leaped over the stream.
The horse leaped the stone wall.
When the alarm went off, she leapt out of bed.
Noun
She made a graceful leap into the air.
He ran and took a flying leap over the stream.
He won the high jump with a leap of six feet.
the leap from childhood to adulthood
She has shown great leaps in ability.
Technology has taken a great leap forward.
It required a leap of the imagination to picture how the project would look when it was completed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026
Another friend, whom Kuras had known since childhood, was hit in the leg, before leaping overboard to escape the hail of bullets.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
Melanie Swan, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
However, significant gaps have remained in healthcare's ability to produce innovative leaps that radically reshape what's possible in treating disease.
—Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leap
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
The team leapt to a 2-0 lead early in the first half thanks to the majesty and refreshing return-to-form of Christian Pulisic, who assisted on the first goal and finished off the second.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026
Another friend, whom Kuras had known since childhood, was hit in the leg, before leaping overboard to escape the hail of bullets.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
Noun
Food and gas have both seen significant leaps.
—Melanie Swan, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
However, significant gaps have remained in healthcare's ability to produce innovative leaps that radically reshape what's possible in treating disease.
—Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leap
Cite this Entry
“Leap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leap. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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