Dictionary
1overrun
verb over·run \-ˈrən\
: to enter and be present in (a place) in large numbers
: to run or go beyond or past (something)
: to spread over or throughout (something)
over·ran\-ˈran\over·runover·run·ning
Full Definition of OVERRUN
transitive verb
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>
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First Known Use of OVERRUN
before 12th century
Related to OVERRUN
- Synonyms
- foray (into), invade, raid
Rhymes with OVERRUN
Acheron, Algonquin, allemande, all-or-none, Balzacian, give the gun, hit-and-run, jump the gun, machine-gun, machine gun, megaton, midnight sun, one-on-one, one-to-one, on the run, pellet gun, radar gun, ride shotgun, riot gun, run-and-gun, Sally Lunn, scattergun, smoking gun, tommy gun, twenty-one, underdone, underrun, water gun
2overrun
noun over·run \ˈō-və(r)-ˌrən\
: an amount of money that is spent and that is more than the expected or planned amount
Full Definition of OVERRUN
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
See overrun defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of OVERRUN
1898
Other Business Terms
OVERRUN Defined for Kids
overrun
verb over·run \ˌō-vər-ˈrən\
over·ran \-ˈran\overrunover·run·ning
Definition of OVERRUN for Kids
1
: to take over and occupy by force <The outpost was overrun by the enemy.>
2
: to run or go past <The runner overran second base.>
3
: to spread over so as to cover <Weeds overran the garden.>
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