overflow

1 of 2

verb

over·​flow ˌō-vər-ˈflō 

overflowed; overflowing; overflows

transitive verb

1

: to cover with or as if with water : inundate

2

: to flow over the brim of

3

: to cause to overflow

intransitive verb

1

: to flow over bounds

2

: to fill a space to capacity and spread beyond its limits

the crowd overflowed into the street

overflow

2 of 2

noun

over·​flow ˈō-vər-ˌflō 

1

: a flowing over : inundation

2

: something that flows over : surplus

3

: an outlet or receptacle for surplus liquid

Synonyms

Verb

• overfill

Noun

• alluvion
• bath
• cataclysm
• cataract
• deluge
• flood
• flood tide
• inundation
• Niagara
• spate
• torrent

Examples of overflow in a Sentence

Verb

The river overflowed its banks.

The creek overflows every spring.

The water in the tub overflowed.

Books and papers overflowed his desk.

The paragraph overflowed the page.

Noun

a great overflow of water from the heavy rains swept mud and silt down onto the highway

an overflow of help actually made the job more complicated

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Little River, which empties into the bay, is one of the county’s most polluted waterways and has been overflowing with storm water since June 11, according to Miami Waterkeeper. —Claire Grunewald, Miami Herald, 22 June 2024

But a recent morning found the trash cans overflowing and the single blue portable toilet filled…to the rim. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2024

Noun

Little Pines is open year-round as weather allows while Manzanita closes in the winter, unless needed for overflow. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024

Clark will be playing on Connecticut Tuesday, makes her pro debut for the Indiana Fever in the opening game of the new season Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against the CT Sun, the Mohegan Sun Arena is completely sold out, 8,900 seats, the Sun announced Monday, and with overflow media presence. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

overflow

1 of 2 verb

over·​flow ˌō-vər-ˈflō 

1

: to cover with or as if with water : inundate

2

: to flow over the brim or top of

the river overflowed its banks

3

: to flow over bounds

the creek overflows every spring

4

: to fill a space up and spread beyond its limits

the paragraph overflowed the page

overflow

2 of 2 noun

over·​flow ˈō-vər-ˌflō 

1

: a flowing over : flood

2

: something that flows over : surplus

3

: an outlet or container for liquid that overflows

Medical Definition

overflow

noun

over·​flow ˈō-vər-ˌflō 

: an excessive flow or amount