overstay

verb

over·​stay ˌō-vər-ˈstā How to pronounce overstay (audio)
overstayed; overstaying; overstays

transitive verb

: to stay beyond the time or the limits of

Examples of overstay in a Sentence

She was guilty of overstaying a student visa.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their individual situations vary widely, from asylum-seekers — who may be granted legal status — to would-be workers searching for jobs, to people who entered on a tourist visa and overstayed. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024 The episode also manages to capitalize on the potential of seeing that journey play out, landing in Greenland for an intriguing side story that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2024 After serving two years in prison, she was released on parole only to be taken into custody by ICE for overstaying her VISA. Greg Evans, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2024 With the emergence of Waymo, at last, this suboptimal rubric has overstayed its welcome. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overstay 

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overstay was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near overstay

Cite this Entry

“Overstay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstay. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

overstay

verb
over·​stay -ˈstā How to pronounce overstay (audio)
: to stay beyond the time or the limits of
overstayed their welcome

More from Merriam-Webster on overstay

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!