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
Russell Contreras, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
Right now, my 6-year-old and 3-year-old sons are building magnet block houses in our family room, which is overrun by toys and coloring books.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 30 Oct. 2024
Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Boston spent 20 nightmarish years dealing with construction detours and budget overruns, delivering it the Rose Kennedy Greenway through its center and traffic that moves invisibly below.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overrun 
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Verb
Yes, but: That did not stop Trump from erroneously suggesting that migrants were overrunning the state and stealing jobs from U.S.-born New Mexicans.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
Right now, my 6-year-old and 3-year-old sons are building magnet block houses in our family room, which is overrun by toys and coloring books.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
Boeing was awarded a $4.6-billion contract in 2014 to develop the craft and has been hit with some $1.5 billion in cost overruns, but the vehicle has yet to be certified.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Boston spent 20 nightmarish years dealing with construction detours and budget overruns, delivering it the Rose Kennedy Greenway through its center and traffic that moves invisibly below.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2024
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 28 Nov. 2024.
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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