verb Uncommon

overrun

oh-vuh-RUHN

Overrun (verb) means to spread over or invade a place in large numbers, often taking full control of it. Example: “The garden was completely overrun with weeds.”

verb

To spread over or invade a place in large numbers, often taking full control of it.

"The garden was completely overrun with weeds."

"Enemy forces overran the border town within days."

To go on for longer than planned.

"The meeting overran by almost an hour."

noun

An amount by which something has gone beyond its planned budget, time, or capacity.

"The project suffered a huge cost overrun."

How to Use Overrun

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo spread over something uncontrollably, or to go on past a planned limit (of time, cost, etc).

Common pairings

cost overrun overrun with overrun by weeds

Word Forms

overran past tense, overrun past tense, overruns plural, overruns singular

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The garden was completely _____ with weeds.

Etymology

Built from over- + run.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “overrun” mean?

The word “overrun” means to spread over or invade a place in large numbers, often taking full control of it. In plain terms, to spread over something uncontrollably, or to go on past a planned limit (of time, cost, etc).

How do you pronounce “overrun”?

“Overrun” is pronounced oh-vuh-RUHN (/ˌoʊ.vɚˈɹʌn/ in IPA).

How do you use “overrun” in a sentence?

Here is “overrun” used in a sentence: “The garden was completely overrun with weeds.”

What part of speech is “overrun”?

Depending on how it is used, “overrun” can be a verb and a noun.

Is “overrun” a common word?

“Overrun” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “overrun” have?

“Overrun” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to spread over or invade a place in large numbers, often taking full control of it.

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Words That Start With O