over·run
ˌō-vər-ˈrən 
ˌō-və-
overran
ˌō-vər-ˈran
ˌō-və-
; overrun; overrunning
1
a(1)
: to defeat decisively and occupy the positions of
(2)
: to invade and occupy or ravage
b
: to spread or swarm over : infest
2
a
: to run or go beyond or past
the plane overran the runway
b
: exceed
overrun a budget
c
: to readjust (set type) by shifting letters or words from one line into another
3
: to flow over
the river overran its banks
over·run
ˈō-vər-ˌrən
ˈō-və-
1
: an act or instance of overrunning
especially
: an exceeding of the costs estimated in a contract for development and manufacture of new equipment
2
: the amount by which something overruns
3
: a run in excess of the quantity ordered by a customer
Examples of overrun in a Sentence
Verb
The tank divisions overran the countryside.
The city was being overrun by enemy troops.
The plane overran the runway.
His speech overran the time allowed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dave Lawler, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
In Haiti, the order froze some three hundred and thirty million dollars in aid, including funds to help the police fight criminal gangs that have overrun the capital.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2025
Nick Halter, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
Instead, Westinghouse Electric Co.’s state-of-the-art AP1000 design resulted in long delays and steep cost overruns, culminating in its bankruptcy in 2017.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrun
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Verb
Trump insisted that Ukraine would have been overrun without U.S. help and that his help was the country's only chance.
—Dave Lawler, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
In Haiti, the order froze some three hundred and thirty million dollars in aid, including funds to help the police fight criminal gangs that have overrun the capital.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
State of play: Minnesota Republicans are already trying to sink the project, which has come under more scrutiny following delays and cost overruns on the Green Line, as well as a scathing auditor's report about the Met Council's management of the work.
—Nick Halter, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
Instead, Westinghouse Electric Co.’s state-of-the-art AP1000 design resulted in long delays and steep cost overruns, culminating in its bankruptcy in 2017.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrun
Cite this Entry
“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overrun. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overrun
1 of 2 verb
over·run
ˌō-və(r)-ˈrən
overran
-ˈran
; overrun; overrunning
; overrun; overrunning
1
a
: to invade and occupy
the island was overrun by the enemy
b
: to spread, swarm, or grow over
a garden overrun with weeds
rats overran the ship
2
: to run or go beyond or past
overran third base
the program overran the time allowed
3
: flow over
the river overran its banks
overrun
2 of 2 noun
over·run
ˈō-və(r)-ˌrən
1
: an act or instance of overrunning
2
: the amount by which something overruns
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