overrun

1 of 2

verb

over·​run ˌō-vər-ˈrən 

ˌō-və-

overran ˌō-vər-ˈran 

ˌō-və-

; overrun; overrunning

transitive verb

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

overrun

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms

Verb

• foray (into)
• invade
• raid

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overrun

• anyone
• everyone
• megaton
• overdone
• povidone
• trazodone
• begun
• grandson
• gudrun
• handgun
• homespun
• outdone

Kids Definition

overrun

1 of 2 verb

over·​run ˌō-və(r)-ˈrən 

overran -ˈran  ; 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