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

Keep those dust bunnies from multiplying Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter and use a wet mop to keep dust bunnies from overrunning your living space. —Andrea Kane, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024

As Iraqi troops and militias bolstered positions along the 370-mile border with Syria that a decade ago was overrun by the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), the Iraqi government spokesperson emphasized that Baghdad would not tolerate any cross-border threats. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024

Noun

ProPublica’s work on the Navy’s cost overruns and design flaws in its ships is second to none. —Stephen Engelberg, ProPublica, 11 Dec. 2024

Advertisement But the deficit could grow with the proposals Newsom unveiled in recent months, cost overruns on existing programs and the potential loss of billions in federal funding as analysts predict more significant budget problems in the years ahead. —Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 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