over·ride
ˌō-vər-ˈrīd 
ˌō-və-
overrode
ˌō-vər-ˈrōd
ˌō-və-
; overridden
ˌō-vər-ˈri-dᵊn
ˌō-və-
; overriding
ˌō-vər-ˈrī-diŋ
ˌō-və-
1
: to ride over or across : trample
overrode the thin line of defenders
2
: to ride (an animal, such as a horse) too much or too hard
3
a
: to prevail over : dominate
panic overrode everything else—
Marcia Davenport
Marcia Davenport
b
: to set aside : annul
override a veto
the rights of the individual were being flagrantly overridden—C. L. Jones
C. L. Jones
c
: to neutralize the action of (something, such as an automatic control)
You must enter a code to override the alarm.
4
: to extend or pass over
over·ride
ˈō-vər-ˌrīd
ˈō-və-
1
: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates
2
3
: a device or system used to override a control
4
: an act or an instance of overriding
Examples of override in a Sentence
Verb
Congress overrode the President's veto.
These new rules override the old ones.
Don't let anger override common sense.
You must enter a code to override the alarm.
She overrode the default settings on her computer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Contra Despite the electorate’s increasingly Democratic leanings, Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers of the legislature, giving it the power to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Outlawing judicial override did not alter sentences retroactively, including for Kenny Smith, who was the first person to die by nitrogen hypoxia earlier this year, drawing international outcry.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for override 
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show current usage.
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Verb
The legislature approved the bill in late March and a few weeks later overrode a veto by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who said the bill advanced too quickly and that there should be a testing period before fully autonomous vehicles are allowed to drive in the state.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Contra Despite the electorate’s increasingly Democratic leanings, Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers of the legislature, giving it the power to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
The superintendent's office also maintains homeschool and private school records and manages school district governing board elections as well as bond and override elections.
—Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Outlawing judicial override did not alter sentences retroactively, including for Kenny Smith, who was the first person to die by nitrogen hypoxia earlier this year, drawing international outcry.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for override
Articles Related to override
Dictionary Entries Near override
Cite this Entry
“Override.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/override. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
override
1 of 2 transitive verb
over·ride
ˌō-vər-ˈrīd
1
: to prevail or take precedence over
if, as is often the case, federal constitutional principles override state statutory or common law—H. P. Wilkins
H. P. Wilkins2
: to set aside by virtue of superior authority
overrode the jury's sentencing recommendation
override
2 of 2 noun
over·ride
ˈō-vər-ˌrīd
1
: a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates
called also override commission
2
: royalty
3
: an act or instance of overriding
a legislative override
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