verb To have an area, range, character or function in common.
The two maps overlapped at the east and west edges.
verb Of sets: to have some elements in common.
The set (all men) overlaps the set (vegetarians).
verb To have some similar nucleotide sequences.
verb An illusion of depth is created when one object partially covers another.
noun Something that overlaps or is overlapped.
noun a situation in the game where an attacking line has more players in it than the defensive line coming to meet it. The attacking side may exploit the overlap by using their superior numbers to break the opposition's defensive line. If attackers outnumber defenders by more than one player this is often termed a two man overlap or three man overlap, etc. If the attacking side fails to break through usually due to poor execution, they are said to waste an overlap.