overtake

verb

over·​take ˌō-vər-ˈtāk How to pronounce overtake (audio)
overtook ˌō-vər-ˈtu̇k How to pronounce overtake (audio) ; overtaken ˌō-vər-ˈtā-kən How to pronounce overtake (audio) ; overtaking

transitive verb

1
a
: to catch up with
b
: to catch up with and pass by
2
: to come upon suddenly

Examples of overtake in a Sentence

She overtook the other runners and went on to win the race. The sign says “No Overtaking.” Seasickness can overtake passengers when the ship encounters a storm.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Platform engineering is overtaking DevOps as the term cloud native people use to describe themselves. Justin Warren, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 In 2022, China was overtaken by India as the world's most populous nation. Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024 The result was called after the AP determined that the remaining uncounted votes mostly from the greater Milwaukee area would not be enough for Harris to overtake Trump. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024 As one research analyst told Reuters, Palantir’s commercial business will likely overtake its government business as corporations step on the gas around AI software. Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overtake 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from over entry 1 + taken to take

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of overtake was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near overtake

Cite this Entry

“Overtake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtake. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

overtake

verb
over·​take ˌō-vər-ˈtāk How to pronounce overtake (audio)
overtook -ˈtu̇k How to pronounce overtake (audio) ; overtaken -ˈtā-kən How to pronounce overtake (audio) ; overtaking
1
a
: to catch up with
b
: to catch up with and pass by
2
: to come upon suddenly
a blizzard overtook the hunting party

More from Merriam-Webster on overtake

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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