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
Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Some of the 1,250 defendants convicted of crimes after Jan. 6 called for the deaths of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Democrat from San Francisco, and Mike Pence, who was Trump’s vice president, as the mob violently overran police and breached the building.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025
Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025
Plagued from the outset by delays and budget overruns, the program has already cost $3.3 billion and is just 38% complete, according to the utility.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overrun 
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Verb
War has ravaged the land, and the Black Death has overrun the population.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Some of the 1,250 defendants convicted of crimes after Jan. 6 called for the deaths of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Democrat from San Francisco, and Mike Pence, who was Trump’s vice president, as the mob violently overran police and breached the building.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025
Noun
The big question for those local agencies — whether to fund the $20 billion construction cost and who will be on the hook for overruns — will come in 2026 or 2027.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025
Plagued from the outset by delays and budget overruns, the program has already cost $3.3 billion and is just 38% complete, according to the utility.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overrun
Dictionary Entries Near overrun
Cite this Entry
“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overrun. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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