elapse

1 of 2

verb

i-ˈlaps 

elapsed; elapsing

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

Verb

• break off
• break up
• cease
• close
• conclude
• dead-end
• determine
• die
• discontinue
• end
• expire
• finish
• go
• halt
• lapse
• leave off
• let up
• pass
• quit
• stop
• terminate
• wind up
• wink (out)

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

Verb

Given the three months that had elapsed since Salinas Pineda went missing and their own experiences in the unforgiving desert, the Armadillos were well-aware that the chances of finding him alive were slim. —Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2024

How did Wrexham’s new faces fare? More than four decades have elapsed since Phil Parkinson and Chris Wilder first met as 14-year-olds at Southampton. —Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 13 Aug. 2024

Noun

How a Texas artist inspired by LeAnn Rimes with vocal chops comparable to the likes of Carrie Underwood then saw 10 years elapse before her debut album dropped is astonishing. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 29 Mar. 2024

The prospect of thanking you and your father for your help may seem like a daunting task that only grows more daunting the more time elapses. —Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

1644, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1677, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

elapse

verb

i-ˈlaps

elapsed; elapsing

: to slip or glide away : pass

weeks elapsed before I found time to write