overhaul

verb

over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl How to pronounce overhaul (audio)
overhauled; overhauling; overhauls

transitive verb

1
a
: to examine thoroughly
our systems of education are being constantly overhauledSaturday Rev.
b(1)
: repair
The mechanic overhauled the engine.
(2)
: to renovate, remake, revise, or renew thoroughly
Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
2
: to haul or drag over
3
: overtake
The most imposing U.S. swimmer was overhauled by a 17-year-old Australian in the butterfly race.
overhaul noun

Examples of overhaul in a Sentence

The mechanic overhauled the car's engine. They had to overhaul their original plans. Lawmakers are overhauling the welfare program.
Recent Examples on the Web The entire property was overhauled in 2020 and spans 3,765 square feet with five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a powder room. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2024 Crews continued to work to extinguish and overhaul the fire. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 But the service has been overhauled to emphasize features that benefit Walmart employees and shoppers, such as free ATM withdrawals and cash back on purchases at Walmart stores. Craig Silverman, ProPublica, 11 Mar. 2024 In 2017, Louisiana overhauled its criminal justice system with broad bipartisan support, all in an effort to lose the distinction of having the nation’s highest incarceration rate. Rick Rojas, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The proposal overhauls the tax structure: 2% for properties over $1 million, 3% on properties over $1.5 million and down to 0.6% on properties under $1 million. Sophia Tareen, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Panera Bread will overhaul its menu on April 4, an announcement that comes at a time when the St. Louis company is in the news for different reasons. Fielding Buck, Orange County Register, 2 Mar. 2024 The Science of Reading Movement What to Know: An effort to overhaul how children learn to read, known as the science of reading, is sweeping the United States. Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Along with overhauling her own home in L.A.’s Laurel Canyon, she’s worked on several projects around the country. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overhaul.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of overhaul was in 1705

Dictionary Entries Near overhaul

Cite this Entry

“Overhaul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhaul. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

overhaul

verb
over·​haul ˌō-vər-ˈhȯl How to pronounce overhaul (audio)
1
: to make a thorough examination of and make necessary repairs and adjustments on
overhaul an engine
2
overhaul noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overhaul

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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