override

1 of 2

verb

over·​ride ˌō-vər-ˈrīd How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
overrode ˌō-vər-ˈrōd How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
; overridden ˌō-vər-ˈri-dᵊn How to pronounce override (audio)
ˌō-və-
; overriding ˌō-vər-ˈrī-diŋ How to pronounce override (audio)
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 elseMarcia Davenport
b
: to set aside : annul
override a veto
the rights of the individual were being flagrantly overriddenC. 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 How to pronounce override (audio)
ˈō-və-
1
: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates
2
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
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.
Verb
The legislature approved the bill in late March and a few weeks later overrode a veto by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who said the bill advanced too quickly and that there should be a testing period before fully autonomous vehicles are allowed to drive in the state. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 Contra Despite the electorate’s increasingly Democratic leanings, Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers of the legislature, giving it the power to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes. Sara Dorn, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
The superintendent's office also maintains homeschool and private school records and manages school district governing board elections as well as bond and override elections. Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 Outlawing judicial override did not alter sentences retroactively, including for Kenny Smith, who was the first person to die by nitrogen hypoxia earlier this year, drawing international outcry. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for override 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of override was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near override

Cite this Entry

“Override.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/override. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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 How to pronounce override (audio)
overrode -ˈrōd How to pronounce override (audio) ; overridden -ˈrid-ᵊn How to pronounce override (audio) ; overriding
1
: to prevail or take precedence over
if, as is often the case, federal constitutional principles override state statutory or common lawH. 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 How to pronounce override (audio)
1
: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates

called also override commission

2
3
: an act or instance of overriding
a legislative override
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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