overhaul

verb

over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl How to pronounce overhaul (audio)
overhauled; overhauling; overhauls

transitive verb

1
a
: to examine thoroughly
our systems of education are being constantly overhauledSaturday Rev.
b(1)
: repair
The mechanic overhauled the engine.
(2)
: to renovate, remake, revise, or renew thoroughly
Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
2
: to haul or drag over
3
: overtake
The most imposing U.S. swimmer was overhauled by a 17-year-old Australian in the butterfly race.
overhaul noun

Examples of overhaul in a Sentence

The mechanic overhauled the car's engine. They had to overhaul their original plans. Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
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.
Most people know that rebrands are a beast, especially the kind that overhauls everything from visuals to voice, down to the smallest details. Ryan Farsai, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 The big picture: The landscape for NEPA has changed drastically since the Trump administration overhauled the implementing rules in 2020 for the first time in decades. Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024 The two have shared the same distrust of the FBI, but Patel has made his thoughts of overhauling the FBI known through interviews and his book, Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth and the Battle for Our Democracy. Andi Shae Napier, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Dec. 2024 The agency's boss, Martin O'Malley, who took the helm in December 2023, promised to overhaul the system, and in April 2024, the SSA announced officials would no longer withhold entire payouts when the agency needed to take back cash, but would keep a percentage instead. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overhaul 

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of overhaul was in 1705

Dictionary Entries Near overhaul

Cite this Entry

“Overhaul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhaul. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

overhaul

verb
over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl How to pronounce overhaul (audio)
1
: to make a thorough examination of and make necessary repairs and adjustments on
overhaul an engine
2
overhaul noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overhaul

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!