1. Mistakes or Errors: This is the most common meaning. It refers to a slip-up, a failure to maintain a standard or expectation.
* Example: "There were a few lapses in security during the event."
2. Temporary Suspension or Cessation: This meaning refers to a brief period of time when something stops or is interrupted.
* Example: "A lapse in communication led to confusion about the project."
3. Decline or Deterioration: This meaning refers to a gradual decline in something, often in quality or effectiveness.
* Example: "A lapse in memory is a common symptom of aging."
4. Moral Failure: This meaning refers to a lapse in judgment, leading to an unethical or immoral action.
* Example: "His lapse in judgment cost him his job."
5. Legal Term: This meaning refers to a legal term for a period of time when a person is not legally responsible for their actions, often due to mental illness.
* Example: "The judge ruled that the defendant was experiencing a lapse of reason at the time of the crime."
The specific meaning of "lapses" will be clear from the context in which it is used.