overboard

adverb

over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbȯrd 

1

: over the side of a ship or boat into the water

2

: to extremes of enthusiasm

3

: into discard : aside

Examples of overboard in a Sentence

He threw the fish overboard.

The boy fell overboard and almost drowned.

One of the sailors fell into the water, and someone shouted “Man overboard!”.

Recent Examples on the Web

Barrett James took it upon himself to get into the tub and went slightly overboard with the bubble bath. —Daniella Gray, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

The captains, like Genevieve, who orchestrate big votes, end up getting thrown overboard at the next vote, drowned by the ocean. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024

When the ship is torpedoed by Allied submarines, Saito and Bronson are thrown overboard and wash ashore a deserted island. —Sara Merican, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2024

While Halloween is celebrated all across the country, some states go more overboard than others with their festive spirit. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing overboard

• go overboard
• wash overboard

Kids Definition

overboard

adverb

over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbō(ə)rd 

-ˌbȯ(ə)rd

1

: over the side of a ship into the water

2

: to extremes of enthusiasm

go overboard for a new fad