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
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
Azra Nurkic, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
But Sunseeker had only a few bartenders and servers working, who were clearly overrun, even with only half the seats around the bar filled.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 15 Mar. 2025
Robert Rapier, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
McMahon held performers accountable for any production costs incurred due to time overruns.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrun
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Verb
All of these capabilities lead to savings in time and manpower, lower costs and diminished risk of project overrun, as well as mitigating environmental degradation and fostering greener operations throughout the supply chain.
—Azra Nurkic, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
But Sunseeker had only a few bartenders and servers working, who were clearly overrun, even with only half the seats around the bar filled.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
Prospective investors will need to carefully weigh the potential for cost overruns, supply chain disruptions, and global competition.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
McMahon held performers accountable for any production costs incurred due to time overruns.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrun
Cite this Entry
“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overrun. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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
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