overland

1 of 2

adverb

over·​land ˈō-vər-ˌland 

-lənd

: by, on, or across land

overland

2 of 2

adjective

: going or accomplished over the land instead of by sea

overland emigrants

an overland route

Examples of overland in a Sentence

Adverb

We traveled overland by horse to the mountains.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Pills can be shipped overland through Jordan; sent north to Turkey, then taken by boat to their destination; or delivered to one of Syria’s ports, such as Latakia, and shipped to ports in the Red Sea. —Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

Reports from rescue missions, Inuit in the area and subsequent forensic and archaeological work on human and nonhuman remains have since pieced together part of the story, which includes ships stuck in winter ice, food gone bad, a desperate trip overland, and the likelihood of cannibalism. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024

Adjective

In addition to its tribal significance, the national monument also protects historic mining shafts and the Bradshaw Trail, an overland stage route used by gold miners and other travelers in the mid-1800s. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025

That, in turn, could reinforce Beijing’s inclination to build uneconomical overland pipelines and transportation infrastructure. —Aaron L. Friedberg, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

overland

adverb or adjective

over·​land

ˈō-vər-ˌland,

-lənd

: by, on, or across land