overflow

1 of 2

verb

over·​flow ˌō-vər-ˈflō How to pronounce overflow (audio)
overflowed; overflowing; overflows
Synonyms of overflownext

transitive verb

1
: to cover with or as if with water : inundate
2
: to flow over the brim of
3
: to cause to overflow

intransitive verb

1
: to flow over bounds
2
: to fill a space to capacity and spread beyond its limits
the crowd overflowed into the street

overflow

2 of 2

noun

over·​flow ˈō-vər-ˌflō How to pronounce overflow (audio)
1
: a flowing over : inundation
2
: something that flows over : surplus
3
: an outlet or receptacle for surplus liquid

Synonyms

Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of overflow in a Sentence

Verb The river overflowed its banks. The creek overflows every spring. The water in the tub overflowed.
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
Luckily, Amazon’s fashion department is overflowing with affordable flare jeans to snag ahead of spring. — Clara McMahon, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025 Kitty Kat Rescue jumped in after hearing about these kittens being left in the bag, especially since the rescue organization was overflowing with 65 cats, just as many shelters are experiencing. — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that ICE is expanding its capacity with assistance from the U.S. Defense Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Prisons to manage the overflow. — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 Sanders’s biggest event was in Warren, Mich., where an overflow crowd of 9,000 gathered to see him and United Autoworkers President Shawn Fain. — Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overflow

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Rhymes for overflow

See All Rhymes for overflow

Browse Nearby Words

overflood
overflow
overflow bug
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overflow. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

overflow

1 of 2 verb
over·​flow ˌō-vər-ˈflō How to pronounce overflow (audio)
1
: to cover with or as if with water : inundate
2
: to flow over the brim or top of
the river overflowed its banks
3
: to flow over bounds
the creek overflows every spring
4
: to fill a space up and spread beyond its limits
the paragraph overflowed the page

overflow

2 of 2 noun
over·​flow ˈō-vər-ˌflō How to pronounce overflow (audio)
1
: a flowing over : flood
2
: something that flows over : surplus
3
: an outlet or container for liquid that overflows

Medical Definition

overflow

noun
over·​flow ˈō-vər-ˌflō How to pronounce overflow (audio)
: an excessive flow or amount

More from Merriam-Webster on overflow

Nglish: Translation of overflow for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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