over·run
ˌō-vər-ˈrən 
ˌō-və-
overran
ˌō-vər-ˈran
ˌō-və-
; overrun; overrunning
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
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
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
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 May 2024
In many rural areas, the republican army stayed in their forts and allowed the police to be overrun.
—Matthieu Aikins Victor J. Blue Peter Ganim Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 22 May 2024
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 8 Apr. 2024
The effort set records for delays and cost overruns, and yet a prototype is still years from completion.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for overrun 
Verb
Garcia and Balmaseda then pushed their way to the front of the rioters, who all overran the Capitol police officers, according to the complaint.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 May 2024
In many rural areas, the republican army stayed in their forts and allowed the police to be overrun.
—Matthieu Aikins Victor J. Blue Peter Ganim Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 22 May 2024
Noun
One is the bridge’s bumbling history: the inexplicable construction delays, mammoth cost overruns and financial intrigue, all reaching, typically, deep into the heart of the state’s rotten political core.
—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 8 Apr. 2024
The effort set records for delays and cost overruns, and yet a prototype is still years from completion.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for overrun
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overrun.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near overrun
Cite this Entry
“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overrun. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overrun
1 of 2 verb
over·run
ˌō-və(r)-ˈrən
overran
-ˈran
; overrun; overrunning
; 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share