verb

override

oh-vuh-RYD

verb

To take priority over, or cancel out, an existing decision, rule, or system.

"The manager overrode the automated pricing to give the customer a discount."

"A safety officer can override the system in an emergency."

In programming, to replace an inherited method with a new version of the same name.

"The subclass overrides the parent's "draw" method."

noun

A mechanism or command used to take manual control over something automatic.

"There's a manual override for the elevator in case of a power cut."

How to Use Override

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo take control away from an automatic system, rule, or decision, and replace it with your own.

Common pairings

manual override override a decision override the system

overrode past tense, overridden past tense, overrides plural, overrides singular

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A safety officer can _____ the system in an emergency.

From Old English oferrīdan ("to ride over"), built from over- + ride; German überreiten is a cognate.

ide tide hide ride wide side bide aide FIDE abide slide bride