overhaul

verb

over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl 

overhauled; overhauling; overhauls

transitive verb

1

a

: to examine thoroughly

our systems of education are being constantly overhauled

—Saturday Rev.

b(1)

: repair

The mechanic overhauled the engine.

(2)

: to renovate, remake, revise, or renew thoroughly

Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.

2

: to haul or drag over

3

: overtake

The most imposing U.S. swimmer was overhauled by a 17-year-old Australian in the butterfly race.

overhaul

ˈō-vər-ˌhȯl 

noun

Synonyms

• catch
• catch up (with)
• overtake

Examples of overhaul in a Sentence

The mechanic overhauled the car's engine.

They had to overhaul their original plans.

Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the master bedroom suite, located beneath a vaulted wooden ceiling, was overhauled in 2023 and now has radiant heated floors and a spa bath. —Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2024

Michigan overhauled its care system, prohibiting the facilities from restraining children face down, like Fredericks was. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 27 June 2024

In Asos’s case, the memo clamping down on employees waffling their way through flexible work policies comes at a crucial time as the company tries to overhaul its business amid deep losses. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 20 June 2024

Major repairs to the 1910-vintage North River tunnel constitute what’s expected to be the final phase of the sweeping Gateway Project, a $40 billion effort to overhaul train tracks through the Meadowlands connecting New Jersey and New York. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 18 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

overhaul

verb

over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl 

1

: to make a thorough examination of and make necessary repairs and adjustments on

overhaul an engine

2

: overtake sense 1a

overhaul

ˈō-vər-ˌhȯl 

noun