override

1 of 2

verb

over·​ride ˌō-vər-ˈrīd 

ˌō-və-

overrode ˌō-vər-ˈrōd 

ˌō-və-

; overridden ˌō-vər-ˈri-dᵊn 

ˌō-və-

; overriding ˌō-vər-ˈrī-diŋ 

ˌō-və-

transitive verb

1

: to ride over or across : trample

overrode the thin line of defenders

2

: to ride (an animal, such as a horse) too much or too hard

3

a

: to prevail over : dominate

panic overrode everything else

—Marcia Davenport

b

: to set aside : annul

override a veto

the rights of the individual were being flagrantly overridden

—C. L. Jones

c

: to neutralize the action of (something, such as an automatic control)

You must enter a code to override the alarm.

4

: to extend or pass over

especially : overlap

Huge waves override the beach.

override

2 of 2

noun

over·​ride ˈō-vər-ˌrīd 

ˈō-və-

1

: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates

2

: royalty sense 5a

3

: a device or system used to override a control

4

: an act or an instance of overriding

Examples of override in a Sentence

Verb

Congress overrode the President's veto.

These new rules override the old ones.

Don't let anger override common sense.

You must enter a code to override the alarm.

She overrode the default settings on her computer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The state law also gives teachers and administrators permission to override their school district’s policy, effectively creating their own. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2024

The device, either metal or plastic, fits onto the back of a firearm and allows the user to switch between semi-automatic and fully automatic fire, overriding the need to pull the trigger each time. —Eric Levenson, CNN, 24 Sep. 2024

Noun

The county superintendent supports school governing board elections and bond and override elections, manages school board appointments, offers school finance assistance to school districts and maintains homeschool and private school records. —Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 8 Aug. 2024

Mayor Adams correctly vetoed those, but Speaker Adams mustered four overrides, without creating more money or more housing. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

override

verb

over·​ride

-ˈrīd

overrode

-ˈrōd

; overridden

-ˈrid-ᵊn

; overriding

-ˈrīd-iŋ

1

: to ride over or across : trample

2

: to ride a horse too much or too hard

3

a

: to take power away from : dominate

b

: annul sense 2

the congress overrode the president's veto

Legal Definition

override

1 of 2 transitive verb

over·​ride ˌō-vər-ˈrīd 

overrode -ˈrōd  ; overridden -ˈrid-ᵊn  ; overriding

1

: to prevail or take precedence over

if, as is often the case, federal constitutional principles override state statutory or common law

—H. P. Wilkins

2

: to set aside by virtue of superior authority

overrode the jury's sentencing recommendation

especially : annul sense 2

override a veto with the required majority

override

2 of 2 noun

over·​ride ˈō-vər-ˌrīd 

1

: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates

called also override commission

2

: royalty

3

: an act or instance of overriding

a legislative override