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

Any real feelings on their albums are quickly overrun by generic, formulaic drivel. —Matt Thompson, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024

The alarming finding of the exercise: Lithuania would be overrun—defeated by the Russians and occupied—well before NATO forces arrived, probably about 10 days later. —Tamar Jacoby, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Noun

First, the major system acquisitions which accounted for 80 percent of the space budget were hemorrhaging money with unending cost and schedule overruns. —Charles Beames, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Boeing was awarded a $4.6-billion contract in 2014 to develop the craft and has been hit with some $1.5 billion in cost overruns, but the vehicle has yet to be certified. —Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024

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

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