noun
overpass
OH-vuh-pas
Overpass (noun) means a bridge that carries one road or path over another. Example: “Traffic backs up every morning near the highway overpass.”
noun
1
A bridge that carries one road or path over another.
"Traffic backs up every morning near the highway overpass."
"The homeless man had built a little shelter, complete with cook-stove, beneath a concrete overpass."
verb
1
To go beyond or exceed a limit.
"Marshall was really overpassing his authority when he ordered the security guards to fire their tasers at the trespassers."
"His ambitions began to overpass what the small firm could offer him."
"The precocious student had really overpassed her peers, and was reading books written for children several years older."
How to use overpass
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly a road bridge crossing over another road or railway.
UK vs US
American English favours "overpass"; British English typically says "flyover" for the same structure.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
highway overpass
pedestrian overpass
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Word forms
- Plural
- overpasses
- Third person singular
- overpasses
- Past tense
- overpassed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Traffic backs up every morning near the highway _____.
Etymology
Built from over- + pass, ultimately from Latin passus ("step, pace").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for overpass
See all rhymes for overpass →Frequently asked questions
What does “overpass” mean?
The word “overpass” means a bridge that carries one road or path over another. In plain terms, most commonly a road bridge crossing over another road or railway.
How do you pronounce “overpass”?
“Overpass” is pronounced OH-vuh-pas (/ˈəʊvə(ɹ)pæs/ in IPA).
How do you use “overpass” in a sentence?
Here is “overpass” used in a sentence: “Traffic backs up every morning near the highway overpass.”
What is another word for “overpass”?
Words with a similar meaning to “overpass” include surpass, transgress, miss, overlook, take no notice of and fail to notice.
What is the opposite of “overpass”?
The opposite of “overpass” — its antonyms — are underpass and subway.
What part of speech is “overpass”?
Depending on how it is used, “overpass” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “overpass” come from?
The word “overpass” comes from Latin. Built from over- + pass, ultimately from Latin passus ("step, pace").
How many meanings does “overpass” have?
“Overpass” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a bridge that carries one road or path over another.
