overhaul
verb
over·haul
ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl 
overhauled; overhauling; overhauls
1
a
: to examine thoroughly
our systems of education are being constantly overhauled—
Saturday Rev.
Saturday 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.
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
Strong premium demand in recent years inspired many airlines to overhaul cabin interiors across their fleets to give a bigger presence to premium features like lie-down seats.
—Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Cuomo’s housing plan released last month didn’t include the proposal to overhaul HPD, which has an annual budget of more than $1.5 billion.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
In the early 2010s, when the Los Angeles Unified School District overhauled its lunch offerings—an effort that included removing pizza from the menu—schools reported that massive amounts of food were landing in the trash.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
For years, López Obrador battled with the country’s Supreme Court about a number of contentious issues, notably his plan to overhaul the nation’s electoral system.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
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Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Cuomo’s housing plan released last month didn’t include the proposal to overhaul HPD, which has an annual budget of more than $1.5 billion.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
In the early 2010s, when the Los Angeles Unified School District overhauled its lunch offerings—an effort that included removing pizza from the menu—schools reported that massive amounts of food were landing in the trash.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
For years, López Obrador battled with the country’s Supreme Court about a number of contentious issues, notably his plan to overhaul the nation’s electoral system.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhaul
Cite this Entry
“Overhaul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhaul. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overhaul
verb
over·haul
ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl
1
: to make a thorough examination of and make necessary repairs and adjustments on
overhaul an engine
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