overdrive

noun

over·​drive ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv How to pronounce overdrive (audio)
1
: an automotive transmission gear that transmits to the drive shaft a speed greater than engine speed
2
: a state of heightened activity
going into rhetorical overdrive

Examples of overdrive in a Sentence

He put the car into overdrive. His acting career is in overdrive. The reporters went into overdrive to finish their stories on time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Release date: Friday, Jan. 10 Cast: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, S.J. Suryah, Anjali Director: S. Shankar Screenwriter: Kartik Subbaraj 2 hours 45 minutes With Game Changer (which this critic saw dubbed in in Hindi), Shankar’s signature maximalist storytelling instincts have gone into overdrive. Anupama Chopra, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025 The ongoing manatee catastrophe has sent volunteer caregivers – Disney, SeaWorld and many others – into overdrive. Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2025 Immunotherapy can kick the immune system into overdrive, causing a variety of inflammatory responses. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024 Trump’s years-long bid to take control of the world’s largest island has kicked into overdrive in recent weeks. Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for overdrive 

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overdrive was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near overdrive

Cite this Entry

“Overdrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdrive. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

overdrive

noun
over·​drive ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv How to pronounce overdrive (audio)
: a transmission gear in an automobile that allows the drive shaft to operate at a speed greater than that of the engine crankshaft
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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